Transport management device and transport management method

ABSTRACT

A transport management device and a transport management method generate a travel plan and a driving plan. The transport management device manages a transport system in which goods and the like are transported by causing, on the basis of the travel plan, a vehicle to travel autonomously and without crew in a crewless autonomous travel section leading to a boarding point for a driver, and then having the driver drive the vehicle from the boarding point on the basis of the driving plan. The transport management device predicts a state of traffic in the crewless autonomous travel section, creates the travel plan and the driving plan, and changes the travel plan and the driving plan of the vehicle traveling in the crewless autonomous travel section in accordance with a traffic event occurring in the crewless autonomous travel section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a transportation management apparatusand a transportation management method.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a technique has been disclosed in which, when an anomalyoccurs in a vehicle autonomously driving based on a first travel plan,the first travel plan is changed to a second travel plan for stoppingthe vehicle depending on the cause of the anomaly and the surroundingsituation (see, e.g., Patent Literature (hereinafter referred to as“PTL”) 1).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature PTL 1

-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-8540

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

At present, there are many proposals for unmanned autonomous drivingtechnology in toll sections of highways and the like and infrastructuretechnology to support it. Realizing unmanned autonomous travel on thetoll roads such as the highways is thus possible. Meanwhile, there arestill many problems in terms of safety in realizing the unmannedautonomous travel on general roads in comparison with the toll roads.

In addition, most hubs (or departure points and arrival points) of thetransportation industry and the like exist along the general roads.Accordingly, in view of the above-mentioned problem, if the unmannedautonomous travel on the toll roads is realized, it is conceivable thatthe transportation industry and the like employs a transportation systemfor transporting goods or the like by providing an unmanned autonomoustravel section in which the unmanned autonomous travel of a vehicle isperformed and a manned travel section in which a driver drives thevehicle.

In such a transportation system, it is required to transport the goodsor the like efficiently by appropriate association between the travelplan for the vehicle that performs the unmanned autonomous travel and adriving plan for the driver who takes over the driving of the vehiclehaving performed the unmanned autonomous travel.

Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a technique forpreparing a travel plan and a driving plan in such a transportationsystem as that described above.

Solution to Problem

A transportation management apparatus of the present disclosure is atransportation management apparatus that manages a transportation systemfor transportation of goods or the like in which a vehicle is caused toperform unmanned autonomous travel based on a travel plan in an unmannedautonomous travel section extending to a boarding point of a driver, andthe driver drives the vehicle from the boarding point based on a drivingplan, the transportation management apparatus being configured to:predict a traffic condition of the unmanned autonomous travel section toprepare the travel plan and the driving plan, and change the travel planfor the vehicle traveling in the unmanned autonomous travel section andthe driving plan depending on a traffic event in the unmanned autonomoustravel section.

Further, a transportation management method of the present disclosure isa transportation management method for managing a transportation systemfor transportation of goods or the like in which a vehicle is caused toperform unmanned autonomous travel based on a travel plan in an unmannedautonomous travel section extending to a boarding point of a driver, andthe driver drives the vehicle from the boarding point based on a drivingplan, the transportation management method including: predicting atraffic condition of the unmanned autonomous travel section to preparethe travel plan and the driving plan; and changing the travel plan forthe vehicle traveling in the unmanned autonomous travel section and thedriving plan depending on a traffic event in the unmanned autonomoustravel section.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide atechnique for preparing a travel plan and a driving plan in such atransportation system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a transportation system according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system configuration of a transportation managementsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a transportation status of transportation from pointA to point D managed by a transportation management apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a transportation status of transportation from pointD to point A managed by the transportation management apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a transportation plan preparationprocess performed by a transportation plan preparation section;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating transportation plan preparationprocess 1 in the transportation plan preparation process;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating transportation plan preparationprocess 2 in the transportation plan preparation process;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an arrival prediction process; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating transportation plan preparationprocess 3 in the transportation plan preparation process;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a plan change process performed by atransportation plan change section;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 1 in the planchange process;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 2 in the planchange process;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 3 in the planchange process; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 4 in the planchange process.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, anyunnecessarily detailed description, e.g., a detailed description ofwell-known matters, redundant descriptions on substantially the sameconfigurations, and/or the like may be omitted.

It should be noted that the drawings described and referred to below areprovided to enable a person skilled in the art to understand the presentdisclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims of thepresent disclosure.

(One Example of Transportation System According to Embodiment of PresentDisclosure)

To begin with, one example of a transportation system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 1.

Transportation system 1 that is one example of the transportation systemaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a system fortransporting goods (or passengers) from first departure/arrival point P1to second departure/arrival point P4. First departure/arrival point P1and second departure/arrival point P4 are, for example, a goodstransportation hub (a loading location and an unloading location) or thelike in the case of goods, and are, for example, a boarding location orthe like in the case of passengers. Note that, in the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, first departure/arrival point P1 is referred to aspoint A, and second departure/arrival point P4 is referred to as pointD.

There are first boarding point P2 and second boarding point P3 betweenfirst departure/arrival point P1 and second departure/arrival point P4.First boarding point P2 and second boarding point P3 are, for example,large car parking lots of smart interchanges (hereinafter referred to as“smart ICs”) installed on a highway. Note that, in the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, first boarding point P2 is referred to as “point B,”and second boarding point P3 is referred to as “point C.”

Vehicles X (X01 to X03) are transportation vehicles that travel frompoint A toward point D, and vehicles Y (Y01 to Y03) are transportationvehicles that travel from point D toward point A. Note that, vehicles X(X01 to X03) arriving at point D next turn to be vehicles Y (Y01 to Y03)traveling from point D toward point A. In addition, vehicles Y (Y01 toY03) arriving at point A next turn to be vehicles X (X01 to X03)traveling from point A toward point D.

A section from point A to point B is a first manned driving sectionwhere vehicle X (X03) and vehicle Y (Y01) are driven by first driver DA(DA01). The first manned driving section is, for example, a general-roadtravel section from point A to a smart IC on a highway nearest point A.First driver DA (DA01) drives vehicle X (X03) from point A to go topoint B. Then, first driver DA (DA01) transfers to vehicle Y (Y01) atpoint B, and then drives vehicle Y (Y01) from point B to return to pointA. Thus, a driving section in which first driver DA drives is only thefirst manned travel section.

A section from point C to point D is a second manned driving sectionwhere vehicle X (X01) and vehicle Y (Y03) are driven by second driver DD(DD11). The second manned driving section is, for example, ageneral-road travel section from point D to a smart IC on the highwaynearest point D. Second driver DD (DD11) drives vehicle Y (Y03) frompoint D to go to point C. Then, second driver DD (DD11) transfers tovehicle X (X01) at point C, and then drives vehicle X (X01) from point Cto return to point D. Thus, a driving section in which second driver DDdrives is only the second manned travel section.

A section from point B to point C is an unmanned autonomous travelsection in which vehicles X (X01 to X03) and vehicles Y (Y01 to Y03)autonomously travel without a driver on board. In the case of vehicles X(X01 to X03) traveling from point B to point C, the unmanned autonomoustravel section is, for example, a highway travel section from the largecar parking lot of the smart IC at point B through an up lane of thehighway to the large car parking lot of the smart IC at point C. Inaddition, in the case of vehicles Y (Y01 to Y03) traveling from point Cto point B, the unmanned autonomous travel section is, for example, ahighway travel section from the large car parking lot of the smart IC atpoint C through a down lane of the highway to the large car parking lotof the smart IC at point B.

Thus, when goods are transported by vehicle X from point A to point D,first driver DA first drives vehicle X from point A to point B, and getsoff vehicle X at point B. Vehicle X performs the unmanned autonomoustravel from point B to arrive at point C. From point C, second driver DDdrives vehicle X to transport the goods to point D. In addition, whenthe goods are transported by vehicle Y from point D to point A, seconddriver DD first drives vehicle Y from point D to point C, and gets offvehicle Y at point C. Vehicle Y performs the unmanned autonomous travelfrom point C to arrive at point B. From point B, first driver DA drivesvehicle Y to transport the goods to point A.

According to the above-described method, transportation mode 1 accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure transports goods (orpassengers) from point A to point D and from point D to point A. Thetransportation management system according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is operated in such a transportation mode 1.

(Outline of Transportation Management System)

Next, transportation management system 10 according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Transportation management system 10 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes transportation management apparatus 100,in-vehicle system 200, and driver terminal 300.

(Transportation Management Apparatus)

Transportation management apparatus 100 is a server or the likeinstalled in a headquarters that comprehensively manages transportationof goods from point A to point D and transportation of goods from pointD to point A. In addition, transportation management apparatus 100communicates with a plurality of external servers (not illustrated)through network 400, and obtains various information such as roadtraffic information and weather information. Transportation managementapparatus 100 is communicably connected to in-vehicle system 200 anddriver terminal 300 through network 400. Further, transportationmanagement apparatus 100 is communicably connected with point-Amanagement apparatus (not illustrated) installed at point A and point-Dmanagement apparatus (not illustrated) installed at point D.Accordingly, the information in transportation management apparatus 100can be browsed also at point A and point D. Note that, transportationmanagement apparatus 100 may be installed at point A and/or point D.

Transportation management apparatus 100 includes storage section 101,control section 102, communication control I/F (interface) section 103,and input/output I/F (interface) section 104. Operation section 105 anddisplay section 106 are connected to input/output I/F section 104.

Storage section 101 stores therein map information database (DB) 101 a,traffic information DB 101 b, and transportation plan DB 101 c.

Map information DB 101 a includes map information. The map informationincludes various road information such as speed limit information, roadtype information, road width information, number-of-lanes information,tunnel information, elevation (sidewalk bridge, three-dimensionalintersection, etc.) information, and the like in addition to road mapinformation. The speed limit information is information indicating thespeed limit in each section of each road. The road type information isinformation indicating the type of each road such as a highway,prefectural road, city road, and side road, the presence or absence of aright-turn lane and a left-turn lane, the presence or absence of anintersection and a turning point (road turn), the curvature of a curve,the inclination angle of the road, and the like. The road widthinformation is information indicating the width of each road. Thenumber-of-lanes information is information indicating the number oflanes on the road. The tunnel information is information indicating thedistance of a tunnel and the height limit in the tunnel. The elevationinformation is information indicating the height limit of a pedestrianbridge or a three-dimensional intersection.

Traffic information DB 101 b includes current road traffic information,future road traffic prediction information, and traffic congestionprediction information. The road traffic information is road trafficinformation on up and down lanes of each general road between point Aand point B, road traffic information on up and down lanes of eachgeneral road between point C and point D, road traffic information on anup lane of a highway between point B and point C, road trafficinformation on a down lane of the highway between point C and point B,and the like.

The future road traffic prediction information is future road situationinformation on a road situation predicted to happen when an unexpectedtraffic event (e.g., traffic congestion or road closure due tooccurrence of traffic congestion beyond an expected range of trafficcongestion, an accident, a vehicle failure, a disaster, or the like)occurs. The road traffic information and future road traffic predictioninformation are obtained periodically (e.g., every 5 minutes) from aserver of Japan Road Traffic Information Center, for example, andupdated as necessary. Thus, traffic information DB 101 b includes thecurrent road traffic information and future road traffic predictioninformation between point A and point D.

The traffic congestion prediction information includes trafficcongestion prediction information on traffic congestion in each timeperiod of each day on the up lane of the highway between point B andpoint C (section B-1 a, section B-2 a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, andsection C, which will be described later), traffic congestion predictioninformation on traffic congestion in each time period of each day on thedown lane of the highway between point C and point B (section B-4 b,section B-3 b, section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B, which willbe described later), and the like. The traffic congestion predictioninformation is obtained periodically (e.g., every hour), for example,from the server of Japan Road Traffic Information Center, and thetraffic congestion prediction information is updated as necessary. Thus,traffic information DB 101 b includes the current traffic congestionprediction information on prediction of traffic congestion betweenpoints B and C.

Transportation plan DB 101 c includes transportation plan information.The transportation plan information includes travel plan information forvehicle X, travel plan change information for vehicle X, travel routeinformation indicating a travel route between point B and point C forvehicle X, travel plan information for vehicle Y, travel plan changeinformation for vehicle Y, travel route information indicating a travelroute between point C and point B for vehicle Y, driving planinformation for first driver DA, driving plan change information forfirst driver DA, driving plan information for second driver DD, anddriving plan change information for second driver DD.

The travel plan information for vehicle X includes scheduled point-Adeparture date and time information, point-B parking positioninformation, scheduled point-B arrival date and time information,scheduled point-B departure date and time information,point-B-to-point-C travel speed information, point-C parking positioninformation, scheduled point-C arrival date and time information,scheduled point-C departure date and time information, scheduled point-Darrival date and time information, and the like. Further, thetransportation plan information for vehicle X includes driverinformation on first driver DA who drives vehicle X from point A topoint B, driver information on second driver DD who drives vehicle Xfrom point C to point D, unlocking key information for unlocking vehicleX, locking key information for locking vehicle X, and the like.

The travel plan change information for vehicle X includes changedscheduled point-A departure date and time information, changed point-Bparking position information, changed scheduled point-B arrival date andtime information, changed scheduled point-B departure date and timeinformation, changed point-B-to-point-C travel speed information,changed point-C parking position information, changed scheduled point-Carrival date and time information, changed scheduled point-C departuredate and time information, changed scheduled point-D arrival date andtime information, nearest-smart-IC parking position information,scheduled nearest-smart-IC arrival information, schedulednearest-smart-IC departure information, nearest-smart-IC-to-point-Ctravel speed information, changed driver information on first driver DAwho drives vehicle X from point A to point B, changed driver informationon second driver DD who drives vehicle X from point C to point D, andthe like.

The travel plan information for vehicle Y includes scheduled point-Ddeparture date and time information, point-C parking positioninformation, scheduled point-C arrival date and time information,scheduled point-C departure date and time information,point-C-to-point-B travel speed information, point-B parking positioninformation, scheduled point-B arrival date and time information,scheduled point-B departure date and time information, scheduled point-Aarrival date and time information, and the like. Further, thetransportation plan information for vehicle Y includes driverinformation on second driver DD who drives vehicle Y from point D topoint C, driver information on first driver DA who drives vehicle Y frompoint B to point A, unlocking key information for unlocking vehicle Y,locking key information for locking vehicle Y, and the like.

The travel plan change information for vehicle Y includes changedscheduled point-D departure date and time information, changed point-Cparking position information, changed scheduled point-C arrival date andtime information, changed scheduled point-C departure date and timeinformation, changed point-C-to-point-B travel speed information,changed point-B parking position information, changed scheduled point-Barrival date and time information, changed scheduled point-B departuredate and time information, changed scheduled point-A arrival date andtime information, nearest-smart-IC parking position information,scheduled nearest-smart-IC arrival information, schedulednearest-smart-IC departure information, nearest-smart-IC-to-point-Btravel speed information, changed driver information on second driver DDwho drives vehicle Y from point C to point D, changed driver informationon first driver DA who drives vehicle Y from point B to point A, and thelike.

The driving plan information for first driver DA includes unlocking keyinformation for unlocking vehicle X, locking key information for lockingvehicle X, scheduled point-A departure information for vehicle X,scheduled point-B arrival date and time information for vehicle X,point-B parking position information for vehicle X, unlocking keyinformation for unlocking vehicle Y, locking key information for lockingvehicle Y, point-B parking position information for vehicle Y, scheduledpoint-B departure information for vehicle Y, scheduled point-A arrivaldate and time information for vehicle Y, and the like.

The driving plan change information for first driver DA includes changedunlocking key information for unlocking vehicle X, changed locking keyinformation for locking vehicle X, changed scheduled point-A departureinformation for vehicle X, changed scheduled point-B arrival date andtime information for vehicle X, changed point-B parking positioninformation for vehicle X, changed unlocking key information forunlocking vehicle Y, changed locking key information for locking vehicleY, changed point-B parking position information for vehicle Y, changedscheduled point-B departure information for vehicle Y, and changedscheduled point-A arrival date and time information for vehicle Y.

The driving plan information for second driver DD includes unlocking keyinformation for unlocking vehicle Y, locking key information for lockingvehicle Y, scheduled point-D departure information for vehicle Y,scheduled point-C arrival date and time information for vehicle Y,point-C parking position information for vehicle Y, unlocking keyinformation for unlocking vehicle X, locking key information for lockingvehicle X, point-C parking position information for vehicle X, scheduledpoint-C departure information for vehicle X, scheduled point-D arrivaldate and time information for vehicle X, and the like.

The driving plan change information for second driver DD includeschanged unlocking key information for unlocking vehicle Y, changedlocking key information for locking vehicle Y, changed scheduled point-Ddeparture information for vehicle Y, changed scheduled point-C arrivaldate and time information for vehicle Y, changed point-C parkingposition information for vehicle Y, changed unlocking key informationfor unlocking vehicle X, changed locking key information for lockingvehicle X, changed point-C parking position information for vehicle X,changed scheduled point-C departure information for vehicle X, andchanged scheduled point-D arrival date and time information for vehicleX.

Control section 102 includes transportation plan preparation section 102a, transportation plan change section 102 b, vehicle state managementsection 102 c, and goods compartment condition management section 102 d.

Transportation plan preparation section 102 a executes a transportationplan preparation process for preparing the transportation planinformation described above. Details of the transportation planpreparation process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 to9.

Transportation plan change section 102 b executes a transportation planchange process for changing the transportation plan information preparedby transportation plan preparation section 102 a described above. Caseswhere the transportation plan information is changed by transportationplan change section 102 b includes a case where an event requiring achange occurs between point B and point C (point C and point B) beforevehicle X (vehicle Y) departs from point A (point D), a case where anevent requiring a change occurs between point B and point C (point C andpoint B) while vehicle X (vehicle Y) is traveling from point A (point D)toward point D (point A), and other cases. When an event requiring achange occurs between point B and point C (point C and point B),transportation plan change section 102 b changes the travel plan forvehicle X (vehicle Y). The changed travel plan is stored intransportation plan DB 101 c as the travel plan change information. Inaddition, when an event requiring a change occurs between point B andpoint C (point C and point B), transportation plan change section 102 bchanges the driving plan for first driver DA (second driver DD). Thechanged driving plan is stored in transportation plan DB 101 c as thedriving plan change information.

Vehicle state management section 102 c manages the current vehicle stateof each of vehicles X and Y based on vehicle state informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200. In addition, based on the vehiclestate information transmitted by in-vehicle system 200, vehicle statemanagement section 102 c manages whether or not a throttle control, abrake control, a steering control, and the like of the vehicle are in agood state. Further, based on the vehicle state information transmittedby in-vehicle system 200, vehicle state management section 102 c manageswhether or not drive control section 208 is in a good state. Therefore,items managed by vehicle state management section 102 c are items suchas the vehicle external condition, throttle control, brake control,steering control, and drive control. The vehicle state information,based on which the above items are managed, is transmitted based on arecognized condition recognized by vehicle state recognition section 209b of in-vehicle system 200. By receiving the vehicle state information,vehicle state management section 102 c can grasp whether the currentcontrol state of each vehicle is a good state or a malfunctioning state(or anomalous state).

Goods compartment condition management section 102 d manages the currentcondition in a goods compartment (the loaded state of goods) of vehicleX or Y based on goods compartment condition information transmitted byin-vehicle system 200. The goods compartment condition information, onwhich the above management is based, is transmitted based on therecognized condition recognized by vehicle state recognition section 209b of in-vehicle system 200. By receiving the goods compartment conditioninformation, vehicle state management section 102 c can grasp whetherthe vehicle is in a good state in which no collapse of goods hasoccurred or in a state in which collapse of the goods may have occurred(or in a state in which collapse of the goods has occurred) in eachcurrent goods compartment of each vehicle. When there is no anomaly in agoods compartment, in-vehicle system 200 transmits, as the goodscompartment condition information, information indicating that there isno anomaly in the goods compartment, each captured image information,and an acceleration value of each acceleration sensor. On the otherhand, when an anomaly has occurred in the goods compartment, or, when itis recognized that there is a possibility that an anomaly has occurred,information indicating that there is an anomaly in the goodscompartment, information indicating an anomalous part, each capturedimage information, and the acceleration value of each of theacceleration sensors are transmitted as the goods compartment conditioninformation. Goods compartment condition management section 102 dreceives such goods compartment condition information to grasp thecondition in the goods compartment of each vehicle.

Communication control I/F section 103 conforms to various communicationstandards such as a Local Area Network (LAN) standard, and functions asan interface for communicating data with in-vehicle system 200 anddriver terminal 300 via a communication line.

Input/output I/F section 104 functions as an interface for input ofinformation to transportation management apparatus 100 and for output ofinformation from transportation management apparatus 100. Operationsection 105 and display section 106 are connected to input/output I/Fsection 104.

Operation section 105 is an information input device such as a keyboardand a mouse, and display section 106 is an information output devicesuch as a display.

(In-Vehicle System)

In-vehicle system 200 is mounted in vehicle X (vehicle Y). In-vehiclesystem 200 includes Global Positioning System (GPS) reception section201, navigation section 202, map information database (DB) 203, travelplan storage section 204, vehicle-external-condition detection section205, goods compartment condition detection section 206, locking section207, drive control section 208, driving control section 209,communication control I/F section 210, input/output I/F section 211,operation section 212, audio input/output section 213, and displaysection 214. Further, in-vehicle system 200 includes a driver-terminalattachment section (not illustrated) to which driver terminal 300 isattached.

GPS reception section 201 receives signals from a plurality ofsatellites to calculate the distance from the satellites to identify thelatitude and longitude of vehicle X (vehicle Y) so as to measure theposition of vehicle X (vehicle Y). Then, the measured positioninformation is transmitted to driving control section 209.

Based on the position of vehicle X (vehicle Y) measured by GPS receptionsection 201 and the map information in map information DB 203,navigation section 202 sets a travel route from the current position ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) to a destination to be arrived. Then, the settravel route information is transmitted to driving control section 209.Further, navigation section 202 sets the travel route for vehicle X(vehicle Y) in the unmanned autonomous travel section based on thetravel plan information and the travel route information stored intravel plan storage section 204. Then, the set travel route informationis transmitted to driving control section 209.

The map information is stored in map information DB 203. The mapinformation includes various road information such as speed limitinformation, road type information, road width information,number-of-lanes information, tunnel information, elevation (sidewalkbridge, three-dimensional intersection, etc.) information, and the likein addition to road map information. The speed limit information isinformation indicating the speed limit in each section of each road. Theroad type information is information indicating the type of each roadsuch as a highway, prefectural road, city road, and side road, thepresence or absence of a right-turn lane and a left-turn lane, thepresence or absence of an intersection and a turning point (road turn),the curvature of a curve, the inclination angle of the road, and thelike. The road width information is information indicating the width ofeach road. The number-of-lanes information is information indicating thenumber of lanes on the road. The tunnel information is informationindicating the distance of a tunnel and the height limit in the tunnel.The elevation information is information indicating the height limit ofa pedestrian bridge or a three-dimensional intersection.

Travel plan storage section 204 stores the travel plan information on atravel plan prepared by transportation plan preparation section 102 adescribed above, and the travel route information. In the case ofvehicles X, the stored travel plan information includes the driverinformation for first driver DA who drives from point A to point B, thedriver information for second driver DD who drives from point C to pointD, the unlocking key information for unlocking vehicle X, the lockingkey information for locking vehicle X, the scheduled point-A departuredate and time information, the scheduled point-B parking positioninformation, the scheduled point-B arrival date and time information,the scheduled point-B departure date and time information, thepoint-B-to-point-C travel speed information, the point-C parkingposition information, the scheduled point-C arrival date and timeinformation, the scheduled point-C departure date and time information,the scheduled point-D arrival date and time information, and the like.Further, in the case of vehicles Y, the stored travel plan informationincludes the driver information for second driver DD who drives frompoint D to point C, the driver information for first driver DA whodrives from point B to point A, the unlocking key information forunlocking vehicle Y, the locking key information for locking vehicle Y,the scheduled point-D departure date and time information, the scheduledpoint-C parking position information, the scheduled point-C arrival dateand time information, the scheduled point-C departure date and timeinformation, the point-C-to-point-B travel speed information, thepoint-B parking position information, the scheduled point-B arrival dateand time information, the scheduled point-B departure date and timeinformation, the scheduled point-A arrival date and time information,and the like.

Vehicle-external-condition detection section 205 includes animage-capturing apparatus, a sensor, and the like, and transmitsinformation indicating the external condition of vehicle X (vehicle Y)to driving control section 209. The image-capturing apparatus includes afront image-capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a front viewfrom vehicle X (vehicle Y), a rear image-capturing apparatus forcapturing an image of a rear view from vehicle X (vehicle Y), a rightimage-capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a right view fromvehicle X (vehicle Y), and a left image-capturing apparatus forcapturing an image of a left view from vehicle X (vehicle Y). Theimage-capturing apparatuses transmit the captured image information todriving control section 209. The sensor includes a Light Detection andRanging (LiDAR) that emits a laser beam forward from vehicle X (vehicleY) for object detection and for measuring the distance and direction toan object, a sonic sensor (ultrasonic sensor) for detecting an obstacleor the like at the corner for vehicle X (vehicle Y), and the like. Thesensors transmit measured or detected information to driving controlsection 209.

Goods compartment condition detection section 206 includes animage-capturing apparatus, a sensor, and the like, and transmitsinformation indicating the condition in the goods compartment of vehicleX (vehicle Y) to driving control section 209. The image-capturingapparatus includes a goods-compartment front image-capturing apparatusfor capturing an image of the goods compartment from the front, and agoods-compartment rear image-capturing apparatus for capturing an imageof the goods compartment from the rear. The image-capturing apparatusestransmit the captured image information to driving control section 209.The sensor includes a longitudinal-direction acceleration sensor fordetecting the acceleration in the longitudinal direction of vehicle X(vehicle Y), a lateral-direction acceleration sensor for detecting theacceleration in the lateral direction of vehicle X (vehicle Y), and thelike. The sensors transmit the detected acceleration information todriving control section 209.

Locking section 207 includes a locking mechanism, and locks a door ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) and the goods compartment.

Drive control section 208 executes a drive control on vehicle X (vehicleY). Drive control section 208 includes a throttle control section, abrake control section, a steering control section, a vehicle speeddetection sensor, a yaw rate sensor, and the like. Drive control section208 executes a throttle control by the throttle control section inresponse to a throttle control signal from driving control section 209.In addition, drive control section 208 executes a brake control by thebrake control section in response to a brake control signal from drivingcontrol section 209. In addition, drive control section 208 executes asteering control on steering by the steering control section in responseto a steering control signal from driving control section 209. Thevehicle speed sensor detects the rotational speed of wheels. The yawrate sensor detects the rotational angular velocity in the turningdirection of vehicle X (vehicle Y). Drive control section 208 transmitsthe rotation speed information detected by the vehicle speed sensor andthe yaw rate information detected by the yaw rate sensor to ECU 10.

Driving control section 209 includes current position recognitionsection 209 a, vehicle state recognition section 209 b, travel staterecognition section 209 c, travel control section 209 d, and lockingcontrol section 209 e.

Current position recognition section 209 a recognizes the currentposition of vehicle X (vehicle Y) at a constant intervals (every onesecond) based on the current position information by GPS receptionsection 201 and the map information in map information DB 203. Then, therecognized current position information is transmitted to transportationmanagement apparatus 100. When recognizing the current position torecognize that vehicle X (vehicle Y) has departed point A, currentposition recognition section 209 a transmits the point-A departure dateand time information to transportation management apparatus 100. Inaddition, when recognizing the current position to recognize thatvehicle X (vehicle Y) has arrived at point B, current positionrecognition section 209 a transmits the point-B parking positioninformation and the point-B arrival date and time information totransportation management apparatus 100, and when recognizing thatvehicle X (vehicle Y) has departed from point B, current positionrecognition section 209 a transmits the point-B departure date and timeinformation to transportation management apparatus 100. In addition,when recognizing the current position to recognize that vehicle X(vehicle Y) has arrived at point C, current position recognition section209 a transmits the point-C parking position information and the point-Carrival date and time information to transportation management apparatus100, and when recognizing that vehicle X (vehicle Y) has departed frompoint C, current position recognition section 209 a transmits thepoint-C departure date and time information to transportation managementapparatus 100. In addition, when recognizing the current position torecognize that vehicle X (vehicle Y) has arrived at point D, currentposition recognition section 209 a transmits the point-D arrival dateand time information to transportation management apparatus 100, andwhen recognizing that vehicle X (vehicle Y) has departed from point D,current position recognition section 209 a transmits the point-Ddeparture date and time information to transportation managementapparatus 100.

In addition, when recognizing the current position to recognize thatvehicle X (vehicle Y) has passed point B1, current position recognitionsection 209 a transmits point-B1 passage date and time information totransportation management apparatus 100, and when recognizing thatvehicle X (vehicle Y) has departed from point B2, current positionrecognition section 209 a transmits the point-B1 passage date and timeinformation to transportation management apparatus 100. In addition,when recognizing the current position to recognize that vehicle X(vehicle Y) has passed point B3, current position recognition section209 a transmits point-B3 passage date and time information totransportation management apparatus 100, and when recognizing thatvehicle X (vehicle Y) has passed point B4, current position recognitionsection 209 a transmits the point-B4 passage date and time informationto transportation management apparatus 100.

Vehicle state recognition section 209 b recognizes the current vehicleexternal condition based on the information transmitted byvehicle-external-condition detection section 205 and recognizes thecurrent goods compartment condition based on the information transmittedby goods compartment condition detection section 206. Further, vehiclestate recognition section 209 b transmits the recognized vehicleexternal condition as the vehicle state information to transportationmanagement apparatus 100 and transmits the recognized goods compartmentcondition as the goods compartment condition information totransportation management apparatus 100. When recognizing that there isno anomaly outside the vehicle, vehicle state recognition section 209 btransmits, as the vehicle state information to transportation managementapparatus 100, information indicating that there is no anomaly outsidethe vehicle. On the other hand, when recognizing that an anomaly hasoccurred outside the vehicle, vehicle state recognition section 209 btransmits, as the vehicle state information to transportation managementapparatus 100, information indicating that the anomaly has occurredoutside the vehicle and information indicating an anomalous part.Further, when recognizing that there is no anomaly in the goodscompartment, vehicle state recognition section 209 b transmits, as thegoods compartment condition information to transportation managementapparatus 100, information indicating that there is no anomaly in thegoods compartment, each captured image information, and the accelerationvalue of each of the acceleration sensors. On the other hand, whenrecognizing that anomaly has occurred in the goods compartment or thatan anomaly may have occurred, vehicle state recognition section 209 btransmits, as the goods compartment condition information totransportation management apparatus 100, information indicating thatthere is an anomaly in the goods compartment, information indicating ananomalous part, and each captured image information, and theacceleration value of each of the acceleration sensors.

Further, vehicle state recognition section 209 b recognizes whether thestate of the drive control of vehicle X (vehicle Y) by drive controlsection 208 is in a good state or in a malfunctioning state (oranomalous state). Vehicle state recognition section 209 b diagnoseswhether or not the throttle control (acceleration/decelerationperformance) in accordance with the throttle control signal from drivingcontrol section 209 is as set. In addition, vehicle state recognitionsection 209 b diagnoses whether or not the brake control (effectivenessof the brake) in accordance with the brake control signal from drivingcontrol section 209 is as set. In addition, vehicle state recognitionsection 209 b diagnoses whether or not the steering control on steeringin accordance with the steering control signal from driving controlsection 209 (the rotation angle in accordance with the steering controlsignal) is as set. In addition, vehicle state recognition section 209 bdiagnoses whether or not anomalous noise is generated from drive controlsection 208 or the like. When vehicle state recognition section 209 brecognizes based on these diagnosis results that the state of the drivecontrol of vehicle X (vehicle Y) by drive control section 208 is in agood state, vehicle state recognition section 209 b transmits, as thevehicle state information to transportation management apparatus 100,information indicating that vehicle X (vehicle Y) is a good state andcontrol values for respective controls. On the other hand, when vehiclestate recognition section 209 b recognizes based these diagnosis resultsthat the state of the drive control of vehicle X (vehicle Y) by drivecontrol section 208 is a malfunctioning state (or an anomalous state),vehicle state recognition section 209 b transmits, as the vehicle stateinformation to transportation management apparatus 100, informationindicating a malfunctioning part (or anomalous part) and control valuesof respective controls.

Travel state recognition section 209 c recognizes the travel speed anddirection of vehicle X (vehicle Y) based on the rotation speedinformation and the yaw rate information received from drive controlsection 208.

Travel control section 209 d switches between a manned travel controland an unmanned autonomous driving control based on the recognition ofthe current position of vehicle X (vehicle Y) by current positionrecognition section 209 a and executes the manned travel control or theunmanned autonomous driving control. In the manned travel control, thetravel control is executed by outputting a travel control signalcorresponding to a driving operation by the driver to drive controlsection 208. In the unmanned autonomous driving control, the autonomoustravel control on autonomous travel in the unmanned autonomous travelsection is executed by outputting a travel control signal correspondingto the travel plan information and the travel route information storedin travel plan storage section 204 to drive control section 208.

Locking control section 209 e outputs, to locking section 207, a lockingsignal for locking the locking mechanism and an unlocking signal forunlocking the locking mechanism. Locking control section 209 e collatesthe unlocking key information transmitted by driver terminal 300 withthe unlocking key information registered in locking control section 209e, and outputs the unlocking signal to locking section 207 when the twopieces of the unlocking key information match each other as a result ofcollation. On the other hand, when driver terminal 300 is away fromvehicle X (vehicle Y) by a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 m) or when alocking request signal from driver terminal 300 is received, lockingcontrol section 209 e outputs a locking signal to locking section 207.

Communication control I/F section 210 functions as an interface forcommunicating data with transportation management apparatus 100 anddriver terminal 300 via a communication line.

Input/output I/F section 211 functions as an interface for input ofinformation to driving control section 209 and for output of informationfrom driving control section 209. Operation section 212, audioinput/output section 213, and display section 214 are connected toinput/output I/F section 211.

Operation section 212 is an information input device such as a keyboardand a touch screen including a touch panel, audio input/output section213 is an information input/output device including a speaker and amicrophone, and display section 214 is an information output device suchas a display.

(Driver Terminal)

Driver terminal 300 is a terminal possessed by first driver DA (seconddriver DD). Note that, during driving of vehicle X (vehicle Y), thedriver terminal is attached to the driver-terminal attachment section(not illustrated) provided in in-vehicle system 200. Driver terminal 300includes GPS reception section 301, key information storage section 302,driving plan storage section 303, terminal control section 304,communication control I/F section 305, input/output I/F section 306,operation section 307, audio input/output section 308, and displaysection 309, in addition to so-called mobile phone functions.

GPS reception section 301 receives signals from a plurality ofsatellites to calculate the distances from the satellites to identifythe latitude and longitude of driver terminal 300 so as to measure theposition of driver terminal 300. Then, the measured position informationis transmitted to terminal control section 304.

Key information storage section 302 stores unlocking key information forunlocking vehicle X, locking key information for locking vehicle X,unlocking key information for unlocking vehicle Y, and locking keyinformation for locking vehicle Y transmitted by transportationmanagement apparatus 100. Note that, each piece of key informationstored in key information storage section 302 is deleted from keyinformation storage section 302 by terminal control section 304 whenterminal control section 304 receives deletion instruction informationfrom transportation management apparatus 100.

Driving plan storage section 303 stores driving plan informationprepared by transportation plan preparation section 102 a describedabove. In the case of first driver DA, the stored driving planinformation includes the vehicle number of vehicle X, the scheduledpoint-A departure date and time information for vehicle X, the point-Bparking position information for vehicle X, the scheduled point-Barrival date and time information for vehicle X, the vehicle number ofvehicle Y, the point-B parking position information for vehicle Y, thescheduled point-B departure date and time information for vehicle Y, thescheduled point-A arrival date and time information for vehicle Y, andthe like. In the case of second driver DD, the stored driving planinformation includes the vehicle number of vehicle Y, the scheduledpoint-D departure date and time information for vehicle Y, the point-Cparking position information for vehicle Y, the scheduled point-Carrival date and time information for vehicle Y, the vehicle number ofvehicle X, the point-C parking position information for vehicle X, thescheduled point-C departure date and time information for vehicle X, thescheduled point-D arrival date and time information for vehicle X, andthe like.

Terminal control section 304 includes locking/unlocking instructionsection 304 a and driving plan execution section 304 b.

Locking/unlocking instruction section 304 a transmits the unlocking keyinformation for vehicle X or the locking key information for vehicle Xstored in key information storage section 302 to in-vehicle system 200of vehicle X in response to the operation of first driver DA (seconddriver DD), thereby instructing driving control section 209 ofin-vehicle system 200 to unlock or lock vehicle X. In addition,locking/unlocking instruction section 304 a transmits the unlocking keyinformation for vehicle Y or the locking key information for vehicle Ystored in key information storage section 302 to in-vehicle system 200of vehicle Y in response to the operation of first driver DA (seconddriver DD), thereby instructing driving control section 209 ofin-vehicle system 200 to unlock or lock vehicle Y.

Based on the driving plan information stored in driving plan storagesection 303 and the positional information on the position of driverterminal 300 from GPS reception section 301, driving plan executionsection 304 b causes display section 309 to display an action to beexecuted by first driver DA (second driver DD).

For example, driver terminal 300 possessed by first driver DA displaysthe following. When first driver DA is at point A, the vehicle number ofvehicle X and the scheduled point-A departure date and time informationfor vehicle X are displayed on display section 309. Further, when firstdriver DA drives vehicle X from point A toward point B, the point-Bparking position information for vehicle X and the scheduled point-Barrival date and time information for vehicle X are displayed on displaysection 309. When first driver DA arrives at point B and is scheduled todrive vehicle Y next, the vehicle number of vehicle Y, the point-Bparking position information for vehicle Y, the scheduled point-Barrival date and time information for vehicle Y, and the scheduledpoint-B departure date and time information for vehicle Y are displayedon display section 309. On the other hand, when first driver DA arrivesat point B and is not scheduled to drive vehicle Y next, a method forreturning to point A is displayed on display section 309. Further, whenfirst driver DA drives vehicle Y from point B toward point A, thescheduled point-A arrival date and time information for vehicle Y isdisplayed on display section 309.

In addition, driver terminal 300 possessed by second driver DD displays,for example, the following. When second driver DD is at point D, thevehicle number of vehicle Y and the scheduled point-D departure date andtime information for vehicle Y are displayed on display section 309.Further, when second driver DD drives vehicle Y from point D towardpoint C, the point-C parking position information for vehicle Y and thescheduled point-C arrival date and time information for vehicle Y aredisplayed on display section 309. When second driver DD arrives at pointC and is scheduled to drive vehicle X next, the vehicle number ofvehicle X, the point-C parking position information for vehicle X, thescheduled point-C arrival date and time information for vehicle X, andthe scheduled point-C departure date and time information for vehicle Xare displayed on display section 309. On the other hand, when seconddriver DD arrives at point C and is not scheduled to drive vehicle Xnext, a method for returning to point D is displayed on display section309. Further, when second driver DD drives vehicle X from point C towardpoint D, the scheduled point-D arrival date and time information forvehicle X is displayed on display section 309.

Communication control I/F section 305 functions as an interface forcommunicating data with transportation management apparatus 100 andin-vehicle system 200 via a communication line.

Input/output I/F section 306 functions as an interface for input ofinformation to terminal control section 304 and for output ofinformation from terminal control section 304. Operation section 307,audio input/output section 308, and display section 309 are connected toinput/output I/F section 306.

Operation section 307 is an information input device such as a keyboardand a touch screen including a touch panel, audio input/output section308 is an information input/output device including a speaker and amicrophone, and display section 309 is an information output device suchas a display.

(Transportation Status of Vehicle X)

Next, the transportation status of each vehicle X managed bytransportation management apparatus 100 will be described with referenceto FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is first transportation status management screen 500 displayed ondisplay section 106 of transportation management apparatus 100. Byreferring to first transportation status management screen 500, anoperator can check a travel history and a current status of each vehicleX traveling from point A toward point D.

Information about point A is displayed at point-A information displaysection 501. Information about point B is displayed at point-Binformation display section 502. Note that since point B is the smart ICon the highway, the congestion status at the smart IC is displayed.Regarding indications of the congestion status, “N” indicates that thereis no congestion, “S” indicates that there is slight congestion, and “Y”indicates that there is congestion.

A current traffic condition at each passing point from point B to pointC is displayed at B-C traffic condition display section 503. Here, thepassing point is, for example, an interchange, a parking area, a servicearea, or the like existing between point B and point C. The character“B-la” indicates a section between point B and point B1, section “B-2 a”indicates a section between point B1 and point B2, section “B-3 a”indicates a section between point B2 and point B3, section “B-4 a”indicates a section between point B3 and point B4, and section “C”indicates a section between point B4 and point C. Regarding indicationsof traffic conditions, “N” indicates that there is no traffic congestionor congestion, “S” indicates that there is traffic congestion of lessthan 5 km, “L” indicates traffic congestion of 5 km or longer, and “Y”indicates that an accident has occurred.

Information about point C is displayed at point-C information displaysection 504. Note that since point C is the smart IC on the highway, thecongestion status at the smart IC is displayed. Regarding indications ofthe congestion status, “N” indicates that there is no congestion, “S”indicates that there is slight congestion, and “Y” indicates that thereis congestion. Information about point D is displayed at point-Dinformation display section 505. Point-D-to-point-A switching displaysection 506 is a button to be clicked by mouse operation by the operatorto switch the display to second transportation status management screen600.

The reference numeral “510” denotes a transportation status displaysection for vehicle X01. The driver information on first driver DA whodrives vehicle X01 from point A to point B is displayed at first driverinformation display section 510 a.

The date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 from point A andthe date and time of departure of vehicle X01 from point A are displayedat point-A departure information display section 510 b. The date andtime of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 from point A are displayedbased on the travel plan information for vehicle X01 stored in travelplan storage section 204. Further, the date and time of departure ofvehicle X01 from point A are displayed when transportation managementapparatus 100 receives the point-A departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X01.

A scheduled parking position of vehicle X01 at point B, a parkingposition of vehicle X01 at point B, a date and time of scheduled arrivalof vehicle X01 at point B, a date and time of arrival of vehicle X01 atpoint B, a date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 frompoint B, and a date and time of departure of vehicle X01 from point Bare displayed at point-B arrival/departure information display section510 c. The scheduled parking position of vehicle X01 at point B, thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X01 at point B, and thedate and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 from point B aredisplayed based on the travel plan information for vehicle X01 stored intravel plan storage section 204. Further, the parking position ofvehicle X01 at point B, the date and time of arrival of vehicle X01 atpoint B, and the date and time of departure of vehicle X01 from point Bare displayed when transportation management apparatus 100 receives thepoint-B parking position information, the point-B arrival date and timeinformation, and the point-B departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X01.

The passage date and time when vehicle X01 passes point B1, the passagedate and time when vehicle X01 passes point B2, the passage date andtime when vehicle X01 passes point B3, and the passage date and timewhen vehicle X01 passes point B4 are displayed at unmanned autonomoustravel section passage status display section 510 d. These passage datesand times are displayed when transportation management apparatus 100receives the passage date and time information on passage through eachpoint transmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X01.

A scheduled parking position of vehicle X01 at point C, a parkingposition of vehicle X01 at point C, a date and time of scheduled arrivalof vehicle X01 at point C, a date and time of arrival of vehicle X01 atpoint C, a date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 frompoint C, and a date and time of departure of vehicle X01 from point Care displayed at point-C arrival/departure information display section510 e. The scheduled parking position of vehicle X01 at point C, thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X01 at point C, and thedate and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X01 from point C aredisplayed based on the travel plan information for vehicle X01 stored intravel plan storage section 204. Further, the parking position ofvehicle X01 at point C, the date and time of arrival of vehicle X01 atpoint C, and the date and time of departure of vehicle X01 from point Care displayed when transportation management apparatus 100 receives thepoint-C parking position information, the point-C arrival date and timeinformation, and the point-C departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X01.

The driver information on second driver DD who drives vehicle X01 frompoint C to point D is displayed at second driver information displaysection 510 f.

The date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X01 at point D and thedate and time of arrival of vehicle X01 at point D are displayed atpoint-D departure information display section 510 g. The date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X01 at point D are displayed based onthe travel plan information for vehicle X01 stored in travel planstorage section 204. Further, the date and time of arrival of vehicleX01 at point D are displayed when transportation management apparatus100 receives the point-D arrival date and time information transmittedby in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X01.

The vehicle state of vehicle X01 and the loaded state of vehicle X01 aredisplayed at state display section 510 h. Regarding indications of thevehicle state, “G” indicates a good state, “M” indicates amalfunctioning state, and “X” indicates an anomalous state. In addition,regarding indications of the loaded state, “G” indicates no problem, “M”indicates a possibility of collapse, and “X” indicates collapse.

Pieces of information are displayed at each display section oftransportation status display section 520 for vehicle X02 andtransportation status display section 530 for vehicle X03 in the samemanner as in transportation status display section 510 for vehicle X01described above.

Note that, portions of first transportation status management screen 500which are displayed with a thick frame illustrate the progresses oftravel of respective vehicles X as of the current date and time. Thus,it can be seen that vehicle X01 arrived at parking position C25 at pointC at 12:55. Further, it can be seen that vehicle X02 passed point B4 at13:05 and is traveling toward point C. Further, it can be seen thatvehicle X03 arrived at parking position B11 at point B at 13:02.

(Transportation Status of Vehicle Y)

Next, the transportation status of each vehicle Y managed bytransportation management apparatus 100 will be described with referenceto FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is second transportation status management screen 600 displayedon display section 106 of transportation management apparatus 100. Byreferring to second transportation status management screen 600, anoperator can check a travel history and a current status of each vehicleY traveling from point D toward point A.

Information about point D is displayed at point-D information displaysection 601. Information about point C is displayed at point-Cinformation display section 602. Note that since point C is the smart ICon the highway, the congestion status at the smart IC is displayed.Regarding indications of the congestion status, “N” indicates that thereis no congestion, “S” indicates that there is slight congestion, and “Y”indicates that there is congestion.

A current traffic condition at each passing point from point C to pointB is displayed at C-B traffic condition display section 603. Here, thepassing point is, for example, an interchange, a parking area, a servicearea, or the like existing between point C and point B. Section “B-4 b”indicates a section between point C and point B4, section “B-3 b”indicates a section between point B4 and point B3, section “B-2 b”indicates a section between point B3 and point B2, section “B-1 b”indicates a section between point B2 and point B1, and section “B”indicates a section between point B1 and point B. Regarding indicationsof traffic conditions, “N” indicates that there is no traffic congestionor congestion, “S” indicates that there is traffic congestion of lessthan 5 km, “L” indicates traffic congestion of 5 km or longer, and “Y”indicates that an accident has occurred.

Information about point B is displayed at point-B information displaysection 604. Note that since point B is the smart IC on the highway, thecongestion status at the smart IC is displayed. Regarding indications ofthe congestion status, “N” indicates that there is no congestion, “S”indicates that there is slight congestion, and “Y” indicates that thereis congestion. Information about point A is displayed at point-Ainformation display section 605. Point-A-to-point-D switching displaysection 606 is a button to be clicked by mouse operation by the operatorto switch the display to first transportation status management screen500.

The reference numeral “610” denotes a transportation status displaysection for vehicle Y01. The driver information on second driver DD whodrives vehicle Y01 from point D to point C is displayed at second driverinformation display section 610 a.

The date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01 from point D andthe date and time of departure of vehicle Y01 from point D are displayedat point-D departure information display section 610 b. The date andtime of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01 from point D are displayedbased on the travel plan information for vehicle Y01 stored in travelplan storage section 204. Further, the date and time of departure ofvehicle Y01 from point D are displayed when transportation managementapparatus 100 receives the point-D departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y01.

A scheduled parking position of vehicle Y01 at point C, a parkingposition of vehicle Y01 at position C, a date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle Y01 at point C, a date and time of arrival of vehicleY01 at point C, a date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01from point C, and a date and time of departure of vehicle Y01 from pointC are displayed at point-C arrival/departure information display section610 c. The scheduled parking position of vehicle Y01 at point C, thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y01 at point C, and thedate and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01 from point C aredisplayed based on the travel plan information for vehicle Y01 stored intravel plan storage section 204. Further, the parking position ofvehicle Y01 at position C, the date and time of arrival of vehicle Y01at point C, and the date and time of departure of vehicle Y01 from pointC are displayed when transportation management apparatus 100 receivesthe point-C parking position information, the point-C arrival date andtime information, and the point-C departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y01.

The passage date and time when vehicle Y01 passes point B4, the passagedate and time when vehicle Y01 passes point B3, the passage date andtime when vehicle Y01 passes point B2, and the passage date and timewhen vehicle Y01 passes point B1 are displayed at unmanned autonomoustravel section passage status display section 610 d. These passage datesand times are displayed when transportation management apparatus 100receives the passage date and time information on passage through eachpoint transmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y01.

A scheduled parking position of vehicle Y01 at point B, a parkingposition of vehicle Y01 at position B, a date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle Y01 at point B, a date and time of arrival of vehicleY01 at point B, a date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01from point B, and a date and time of departure of vehicle Y01 from pointB are displayed at point-B arrival/departure information display section610 e. The scheduled parking position of vehicle Y01 at point B, thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y01 at point B, and thedate and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y01 from point B aredisplayed based on the travel plan information for vehicle Y01 stored intravel plan storage section 204. Further, the parking position ofvehicle Y01 at position B, the date and time of arrival of vehicle Y01at point B, and the date and time of departure of vehicle Y01 from pointB are displayed when transportation management apparatus 100 receivesthe point-B parking position information, the point-B arrival date andtime information, and the point-B departure date and time informationtransmitted by in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y01.

The driver information on first driver DA who drives vehicle Y01 frompoint B to point A is displayed at first driver information displaysection 610 f.

The date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y01 at point A and thedate and time of arrival of vehicle Y01 at point A are displayed atpoint-A departure information display section 610 g. The date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle Y01 at point A are displayed based onthe travel plan information for vehicle Y01 stored in travel planstorage section 204. Further, the date and time of arrival of vehicleY01 at point A are displayed when transportation management apparatus100 receives the point-A arrival date and time information transmittedby in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y01.

The vehicle state of vehicle Y01 and the loaded state of vehicle Y01 aredisplayed at state display section 610 h. Regarding indications of thevehicle state, “G” indicates a good state, “M” indicates amalfunctioning state, and “X” indicates an anomalous state. In addition,regarding indications of the loaded state, “G” indicates no problem, “M”indicates a possibility of collapse, and “X” indicates collapse.

Pieces of information are displayed at each display section oftransportation status display section 620 for vehicle Y02 andtransportation status display section 630 for vehicle Y03 in the samemanner as in transportation status display section 610 for vehicle Y01described above.

Note that, portions of second transportation status management screen600 which are displayed with a thick frame illustrate the progresses oftravel of respective vehicles Y as of the current date and time. Thus,it can be seen that vehicle Y01 arrived at parking position B12 at pointB at 13:10. Further, it can be seen that vehicle Y02 passed point B2 at12:25 and is traveling toward point B1. Further, it can be seen thatvehicle Y03 departed point C at 13:00.

(Transportation Plan Preparation Process)

Next, the transportation plan preparation process executed bytransportation plan preparation section 102 a will be described withreference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a transportation plan preparationprocess executed by transportation plan preparation section 102 a. FIG.6 is a flowchart illustrating transportation plan preparation process 1in the transportation plan preparation process. FIG. 7 is a flowchartillustrating transportation plan preparation process 2 in thetransportation plan preparation process. FIG. 8 is a flowchartillustrating an arrival prediction process in transportation planpreparation process 1 and transportation plan preparation process 2.FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating transportation plan preparationprocess 3 in the transportation plan preparation process.

To begin with, in step S11, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not to prepare a transportation plan based onarrival of vehicle Y at point B. When it is judged that thetransportation plan is to be prepared based on the arrival of vehicle Yat point B, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when itis judged that the transportation plan is not to be prepared based onthe arrival of point B of vehicle Y, the process proceeds to Step S13.

When it is judged that the transportation plan is to be prepared basedon the arrival of vehicle Y at point B, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a executes transportation plan preparation process 1 in stepS12.

When it is judged that the transportation plan is not to be preparedbased on the arrival of vehicle Y at point B, transportation planpreparation section 102 a judges in step S13 whether or not thetransportation plan is to be prepared in accordance with arrival ofvehicle X at point C. When it is judged that the transportation plan isto be prepared in accordance with the arrival of vehicle X at point C,the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when it is judgedthat the transportation plan is not to be prepared in accordance withthe arrival at point C of vehicle X, the process proceeds to step S15.

When it is judged that the transportation plan is not to be preparedbased on the arrival of vehicle X at point C, transportation planpreparation section 102 a judges in step S15 whether or not thetransportation plan is to be prepared based on the driving plans fordrivers DA and DD. When it is judged that the transportation plan is tobe prepared based on the driving plans for drivers DA and DD, theprocess proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when it is judged thatthe transportation plan is not to be prepared based on the driving plansfor drivers DA and DD, the transportation plan preparation process ends.

(Transportation Plan Preparation Process 1)

Next, transportation plan preparation process 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 6.

To begin with, in step S101, transportation plan preparation section 102a selects the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at pointB.

Next, in step S102, transportation plan preparation section 102 aexecutes an arrival prediction process. Here, the arrival predictionprocess will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S1001, transportation plan preparation section 102 a judgeswhether or not vehicle X is a target for arrival prediction. When thetarget for arrival prediction is vehicle X, the process proceeds to stepS1002. On the other hand, when the target for arrival prediction is notvehicle X, the process proceeds to step S1006.

Next, in step S1002, transportation plan preparation section 102 ajudges whether or not to perform prediction based on the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C. When it is judged that theprediction is to be performed based on the date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle X at point C, the process proceeds to step S1003. Onthe other hand, when it is judged that the prediction is not to beperformed based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point C, it is judged that the prediction is to be performed based onthe date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B, and theprocess proceeds to step S1004.

When it is judged that the prediction is to be performed based on thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C,transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C in step S1003. Note that,the process of “checking the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point C” is referred to as process (1).

On the other hand, when it is judged that the prediction is to beperformed based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point B, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B in stepS1004. The process of “checking the date and time of scheduled arrivalof vehicle X at point B” is referred to as process (2).

Subsequently, in step S1005, when the process of step S1005 is executedfollowing the process of step S1003, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a performs back calculation based on the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C to specify a passage timeperiod in which vehicle X passes each of the sections (section B-1 a,section B-2 a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and section C) betweenpoints B and C. Meanwhile, in step S1005, when the process of step S1005is executed following the process of step S1004, transportation planpreparation section 102 a specifies, based on the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B, the passage time period inwhich vehicle X passes each of the sections (section B-1 a, section B-2a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and section C) between points B and C.

In step S1001, when the target for arrival prediction is not vehicle X,transportation plan preparation section 102 a identifies the target forarrival prediction as vehicle Y. Then, in step S1006, transportationplan preparation section 102 a judges whether or not the prediction isto be performed based on the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point B. When it is judged that the prediction is to beperformed based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point B, the process proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, whenit is judged that the prediction is not to be performed based on thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, it is judgedthat the prediction is to be performed based on the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C, and the process proceeds tostep S1008.

When it is judged that the prediction is to be performed based on thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B,transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B in step S1007. The processof “checking the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint B” is referred to as process (3).

On the other hand, when it is judged that the prediction is to beperformed based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C in stepS1008. Note that, the process of “checking the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C” is referred to as process(4).

Subsequently, in step S1009, when the process of step S1009 is executedfollowing the process of step S1007, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a performs back calculation based on the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, to specify a passage timeperiod in which vehicle Y passes each of the sections (section B-4 b,section B-3 b, section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B) betweenpoints C and B. Meanwhile, in step S1009, when the process of step S1009is executed following the process of step S1008, transportation planpreparation section 102 a specifies, based on the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C, the passage time period inwhich vehicle Y passes each of the sections (section B-4 b, section B-3b, section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B) between points C and B.

Subsequently, in step S1010, transportation plan preparation section 102a refers to traffic congestion prediction information on prediction oftraffic congestion in the passage time period for each of the sectionsas stored in traffic information DB 101 b. In this step S1010, in thecase of vehicle X (in the case where above-described processes (1) and(2) are executed), transportation plan preparation section 102 a refersto the traffic congestion prediction information on prediction oftraffic congestion in the passage time period for each of the sections(section B-1 a, section B-2 a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and sectionC) between point B and point C. On the other hand, in this step S1010,in the case of vehicle Y (in the case where above-described processes(3) and (4) are executed), transportation plan preparation section 102 arefers to the traffic congestion prediction information on prediction oftraffic congestion in the passage time period for each of the sections(section B-4 b, section B-3 b, section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and sectionB) between point C and point B.

Subsequently, in step S1011, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not the referred traffic congestion predictioninformation indicates any section for which traffic congestion ispredicted. When it is judged that the referred traffic congestionprediction information indicates a section for which traffic congestionis predicted, the process proceeds to step S1012. On the other hand,when it is judged that the referred traffic congestion predictioninformation does not indicates any section for which traffic congestionis predicted, the process proceeds to step S1016.

When it is judged that there is a section for which traffic congestionis predicted, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks apredicted traffic congestion distance and predicted passing time in thetraffic congestion prediction section in step S1012.

Subsequently, in step S1013, transportation plan preparation section 102a sets point passage dates and times taking into consideration thechecked traffic congestion prediction. Here, by way of example,transportation plan preparation section 102 a assumes that trafficcongestion of 5 km is predicted in section B-1 a (between points B andB1), the section distance of which is 45 km, and which can be passed in30 minutes by traveling at an average speed of 75 km/h when there is notraffic congestion, and that it takes 20 minutes to pass through thecongested part of the section. In such a case, transportation planpreparation section 102 a estimates that the time taken to pass throughthe traffic congestion is a total of 30 minutes of the passage time of20 minutes for passing through the congested part+a surplus time of 10minutes. In addition, the remaining section of 40 km is estimated to betraveled at an average speed of 75 km/h in 32 minutes. Then, the timetaken to pass point B1 is set to 62 minutes (average speed of 43.5 km)for setting the passage date and time.

Subsequently, in step S1014, transportation plan preparation section 102a calculates average travel speeds for respective sections. Here, in thecase of vehicle X, transportation plan preparation section 102 acalculates the average speeds for the respective sections (section B-1a, section B-2 a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and section C) betweenpoint B and point C. In addition, in the case of vehicle Y,transportation plan preparation section 102 a calculates the averagespeeds for the respective sections (section B-4 b, section B-3 b,section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B) between point C and pointB.

Subsequently, in step S1015, by subtracting 5 km/h from the averagespeeds for the respective sections calculated in step S1014,transportation plan preparation section 102 a corrects a deviation thatwould be caused, for example, in a case where an actual congestiondistance is longer than the predicted traffic congestion distance.

When it is judged in step S1011 that there is no section for whichtraffic congestion is predicted, transportation plan preparation section102 a, in step S1016, sets to all the sections the point passage dateand time for the case where no traffic congestion occurs.

Subsequently, in step S1017, transportation plan preparation section 102a calculates the average travel speeds for the respective sections.Here, in the case of vehicle X, transportation plan preparation section102 a calculates the average speeds for the respective sections (sectionB-1 a, section B-2 a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and section C)between point B and point C. In addition, in the case of vehicle Y,transportation plan preparation section 102 a calculates the averagespeeds for the respective sections (section B-4 b, section B-3 b,section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B) between point C and pointB.

Subsequently, in step S1018, by subtracting 2 km/h from the averagespeeds for the respective sections calculated in step S1017,transportation plan preparation section 102 a corrects a deviation thatwould be caused, for example, during an actual travel (in a case ofoccurrence of congestion or the like).

Next, in step S1019, transportation plan preparation section 102 aprepares travel speed control data. Here, in the case of vehicle X,transportation plan preparation section 102 a calculates, for example,an average speed of 75 km/h for section B-1 a, an average speed of 78km/h for section B-2 a, an average speed of 78 km/h for section B-3 a,an average speed of 78 km/h for section B-4 a, and an average speed of73 km/h for section C between point B and point C. Note that theprocesses of from step S1012 to step S1015 or the processes of from stepS1016 to step S1018 may not be executed. That is, in the stage ofpreparing a travel plan, only the arrival dates and times are set, whilethe travel speed do not have to be set. In this case, it is alsoconceivable that vehicle X (vehicle Y) adjusts the speed at according toits own determination (depending on the presence or absence of trafficcongestion, road condition, etc.) according to the arrival dates andtimes.

Subsequently, when process (1) (process of step S1003) or process (4)(process of step S1008) has been performed, transportation planpreparation section 102 a calculates the date and time of scheduledarrival at point B and the date and time of scheduled departure frompoint B in step S1020.

That is, the speed control data for speeds between point B and point Cis prepared based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point C, and the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint B and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint B are calculated based on the prepared speed control data. Notethat, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X from point Bis set to, for example, time 30 minutes after the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B.

Further, the speed control data for speeds between point C and point Bis prepared based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C, and the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint B and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y frompoint B are calculated based on the prepared speed control data. Notethat, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y from point Bis set to, for example, time 60 minutes after the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B.

Further, when process (2) (the process of step S1004) or process (3)(the process of step S1007) has been performed, transportation planpreparation section 102 a calculates the date and time of scheduledarrival at point C and the date and time of scheduled departure frompoint C in step S1020.

That is, the speed control data for speeds between point B and point Cis prepared based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point B, and the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint C and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint C are calculated based on the prepared speed control data. Notethat, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X from point Cis set to, for example, time 60 minutes after the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C.

Further, the speed control data for speeds between point C and point Bis prepared based on the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C, and the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint C and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y frompoint C are calculated based on the prepared speed control data. Notethat, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y from point Cis set to, for example, time 30 minutes after the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C.

Subsequently, when process (1) (the process of step S1003) or process(2) (the process of step S1004) has been performed, transportation planpreparation section 102 a calculates the date and time of scheduleddeparture of vehicle X from point A, the date and time of scheduleddeparture of vehicle X from point C, and the date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle X at point D in step S1021.

Thus, when the process is based on process (1) (the process of stepS1003), the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point Bis calculated from the set date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicleX at point C, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint A is calculated from the calculated date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle X at point B, the date and time of scheduleddeparture of vehicle X from point C is calculated from the set date andtime of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C, and the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point D is calculated from thecalculated date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X from pointC.

In addition, when the process is based on process (2) (the process ofstep S1004), the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint C is calculated from the set date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point B, the date and time of scheduled departure ofvehicle X from point C is calculated from the calculated date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point C, the date and time ofscheduled departure of vehicle X from point A is calculated from the setdate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B, and the dateand time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point D is calculated fromthe calculated date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint C.

Further, when process (3) (the process of step S1007) or process (4)(the process of step S1008) has been performed, transportation planpreparation section 102 a calculates the date and time of departure ofvehicle Y from point D, the date and time of departure of vehicle Y frompoint B, and the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint A in step S1021.

Thus, when the process is based on process (3) (the process of stepS1007), the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point Cis calculated from the set date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicleY at point B, the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y frompoint D is calculated from the calculated date and time of scheduledarrival of vehicle Y at point C, the date and time of scheduleddeparture of vehicle Y from point B is calculated from the set date andtime of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, and the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point A is calculated from thecalculated date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y from pointB.

In addition, when the process is based on process (4) (the process ofstep S1008), the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint B is calculated from the set date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point C, the date and time of scheduled departure ofvehicle Y from point B is calculated from the calculated date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, the date and time ofscheduled departure of vehicle Y from point D is calculated from the setdate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C, and the dateand time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point A is calculated fromthe calculated date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y frompoint B.

When the arrival prediction process is executed in step S102,transportation plan preparation section 102 a judges in step S103whether or not a parking space at point B and a parking space at point Cfor parking of vehicle Y can be reserved. Judgement of whether or notthe parking spaces can be reserved is performed by checking reservationstatuses on the respective parking lot reservation websites of the smartIC operating companies. When it is judged that the parking space atpoint B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y can bereserved, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when itis judged that the parking space at point B and the parking space atpoint C for parking of vehicle Y cannot be reserved, the processproceeds to step S118.

When it is judged that the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle Y can be reserved,transportation plan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking spaceat point B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y instep S104. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a reservesthe parking spaces on the respective parking lot reservation websites ofthe smart IC operating companies. Note that, when the parking space atpoint B is reserved, the reservation is for the time with an estimatedsurplus time (for example, the date and time of scheduled departure frompoint B+2 hours) taking into consideration the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, the date and time ofscheduled departure from point B, and a delay in arrival at point B thatwould be caused due to traffic congestion. Further, when the parkingspace at point C is reserved, the reservation is for the time takinginto consideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Yfrom point C.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point Band the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y cannot bereserved, transportation plan preparation section 102 a clears thesetting of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at pointC in step S118, and ends this transportation plan preparation process 1.

Next, in step S105, transportation plan preparation section 102 a judgeswhether or not there is any vehicle X scheduled to travel from point Ato point D. When it is judged that there is vehicle X scheduled totravel from point A to point D, the process proceeds to step S106. Onthe other hand, when it is judged that there is no vehicle X scheduledto travel from point A to point D, the process proceeds to step S111.

Next, in step S106, transportation plan preparation section 102 a setsthe date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B scheduledto travel from point A to point D. Here, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a sets the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point B in accordance with the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point B.

Next, in step S107, transportation plan preparation section 102 aexecutes the arrival prediction process. The arrival prediction processis as described above.

Subsequently, in step S108, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle X can be reserved. Judgement ofwhether or not the parking spaces can be reserved is performed bychecking reservation statuses on the respective parking lot reservationwebsites of the smart IC operating companies. When it is judged that theparking space at point B and the parking space at point C for parking ofvehicle X can be reserved, the process proceeds to step S109. On theother hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point B and theparking space at point C for parking of vehicle X cannot be reserved,the process proceeds to step S110.

When it is judged that the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle X can be reserved,transportation plan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking spaceat point B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle X instep S109. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a reservesthe parking spaces on the respective parking lot reservation websites ofthe smart IC operating companies. Note that, when the parking space atpoint B is reserved, the reservation is for the time taking intoconsideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint B and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint B. Further, when the parking space at point C is reserved, thereservation is for the time with an estimated surplus time (for example,the date and time of scheduled departure from point C+2 hours) takinginto consideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point C, the date and time of scheduled departure from point C, and adelay in arrival at point C that would be caused due to trafficcongestion.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point Band the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle X cannot bereserved, transportation plan preparation section 102 a clears thesetting of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at pointB in step S110.

Next, in step S111, transportation plan preparation section 102 a judgeswhether or not there is any vehicle X scheduled to arrive at point Cwithin ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint C. When it is judged that there is vehicle X scheduled to arriveat point C within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point C, the process proceeds to step S112. On the otherhand, when it is judged that there is no vehicle X scheduled to arriveat point C within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point C, the process proceeds to step S115. Note that theprocesses after step S112 may be performed without executing the processof step S111.

When it is judged that there is vehicle X scheduled to arrive at point Cwithin ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y atpoint C, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks thevehicle number of vehicle X scheduled to arrive at point C and theparking position at point C for vehicle X in step S112.

Subsequently, in step S113, transportation plan preparation section 102a designates second driver DD who drives vehicle Y from point D to pointC and drives vehicle X to return from point C to point D.

Subsequently, in step S114, transportation plan preparation section 102a designates first driver DA who drives vehicle X from point A to pointB.

When it is judged that there is no vehicle X scheduled to arrive atpoint C within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle Y at point C, transportation plan preparation section 102 adesignates, in step S115, second driver DD who drives vehicle Y frompoint D to point C.

Subsequently, in step S116, transportation plan preparation section 102a prepares a travel plan and a driving plan, and registers the preparedtravel plan and driving plan in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Subsequently, in step S117, transportation plan preparation section 102a transmits the travel plan registered in transportation plan DB 101 cto in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X and in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle Y, which are the targets of the travel plan. In addition,transportation plan preparation section 102 a transmits the driving planregistered in transportation plan DB 101 c to driver terminal 300possessed by first driver DA and driver terminal 300 possessed by seconddriver DD, which are the targets of the driving plan. After the processof step S117 is executed, transportation plan preparation process 1ends. Each of in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X and in-vehicle system200 of and vehicle Y receiving the travel plan information stores thetravel plan information in travel plan storage section 204. Then, travelcontrol section 209 d causes vehicle X (vehicle Y) to travel inaccordance with the travel plan information stored in travel planstorage section 204. Each of driver terminals 300 receiving the drivingplan information stores the received driving plan information in drivingplan storage section 303. Then, according to the driving planinformation stored in driving plan storage section 303, first driver DA(second driver DD) drives vehicle X (vehicle Y).

(Transportation Plan Preparation Process 2)

Next, transportation plan preparation process 2 will be described withreference to FIG. 7.

To begin with, in step S201, transportation plan preparation section 102a selects the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at pointC.

Next, in step S202, transportation plan preparation section 102 aexecutes an arrival prediction process. The arrival prediction processis as described above.

When the arrival prediction process is executed in step S202,transportation plan preparation section 102 a judges whether or not aparking space at point B and a parking space at point C for parking ofvehicle X can be reserved in step S203. Judgement of whether or not theparking spaces can be reserved is performed by checking reservationstatuses on the respective parking lot reservation websites of the smartIC operating companies. When it is judged that the parking space atpoint B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle X can bereserved, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when itis judged that the parking space at point B and the parking space atpoint C for parking of vehicle X cannot be reserved, the processproceeds to step S218.

When it is judged that the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle X can be reserved,transportation plan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking spaceat point B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle X instep S204. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a reservesthe parking spaces on the respective parking lot reservation websites ofthe smart IC operating companies. Note that, when the parking space atpoint B is reserved, the reservation is for the time taking intoconsideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint B and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X frompoint B. Further, when the parking space at point C is reserved, thereservation is for the time with an estimated surplus time (for example,the date and time of scheduled departure from point C+2 hours) takinginto consideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point C, the date and time of scheduled departure from point C, and adelay in arrival at point C that would be caused due to trafficcongestion.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point Band the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle X cannot bereserved, transportation plan preparation section 102 a clears thesetting of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at pointC in step S218, and ends this transportation plan preparation process 2.

Next, in step S205, transportation plan preparation section 102 a judgeswhether or not there is any vehicle Y scheduled to travel from point Dto point A. When it is judged that there is vehicle Y scheduled totravel from point D to point A, the process proceeds to step S206. Onthe other hand, when it is judged that there is no vehicle Y scheduledto travel from point D to point A, the process proceeds step S211.

Next, in step S206, transportation plan preparation section 102 a setsthe date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C scheduledto travel from point D to point A. Here, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a sets the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C in accordance with the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point C.

Next, in step S207, transportation plan preparation section 102 aexecutes an arrival prediction process. The arrival prediction processis as described above.

Subsequently, in step S208, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle Y can be reserved. Judgement ofwhether or not the parking spaces can be reserved is performed bychecking reservation statuses on the respective parking lot reservationwebsites of the smart IC operating companies. When it is judged that theparking space at point B and the parking space at point C for parking ofvehicle Y can be reserved, the process proceeds to step S209. On theother hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point B and theparking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y cannot be reserved,the process proceeds to step S210.

When it is judged that the parking space at point B and the parkingspace at point C for parking of vehicle Y can be reserved,transportation plan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking spaceat point B and the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y instep S209. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a reservesthe parking spaces on the respective parking lot reservation websites ofthe smart IC operating companies. Note that, when the parking space atpoint B is reserved, the reservation is for the time with an estimatedsurplus time (for example, the date and time of scheduled departure frompoint B+2 hours) taking into consideration the date and time ofscheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, the date and time ofscheduled departure from point B, and a delay in arrival at point B thatwould be caused due to traffic congestion. Further, when the parkingspace at point C is reserved, the reservation is for the time takinginto consideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C and the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Yfrom point C.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the parking space at point Band the parking space at point C for parking of vehicle Y cannot bereserved, transportation plan preparation section 102 a clears thesetting of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at pointC in step S210.

Next, in step S211, transportation plan preparation section 102 a judgeswhether or not there is any vehicle Y scheduled to arrive at point Bwithin ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint B. When it is judged that there is vehicle Y scheduled to arriveat point B within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point B, the process proceeds to step S212. On the otherhand, when it is judged that there is no vehicle Y scheduled to arriveat point B within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point B, the process proceeds to step S215. Note that theprocesses after step S212 may be performed without executing the processof step S211.

When it is judged that there is vehicle Y scheduled to arrive at point Bwithin ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint B, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks thevehicle number of vehicle Y scheduled to arrive at point B and theparking position at point B for vehicle Y in step S212.

Subsequently, in step S213, transportation plan preparation section 102a designates first driver DA who drives vehicle X from point A to pointB and drives vehicle Y to return from point B to point A.

Subsequently, in step S214, transportation plan preparation section 102a designates second driver DD who drives vehicle Y from point D to pointC.

When it is judged that there is no vehicle Y scheduled to arrive atpoint B within ±1 hour of the date and time of scheduled arrival ofvehicle X at point B, transportation plan preparation section 102 adesignates, in step S215, first driver DA who drives vehicle X frompoint A to point B

Subsequently, in step S216, transportation plan preparation section 102a prepares travel plan information and driving plan information, andregisters the prepared travel plan information and driving planinformation in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Subsequently, in step S217, transportation plan preparation section 102a transmits the travel plan information registered in transportationplan DB 101 c to in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X and in-vehiclesystem 200 of vehicle Y, which are targets of the travel plan. Inaddition, transportation plan preparation section 102 a transmits thedriving plan information registered in transportation plan DB 101 c todriver terminal 300 possessed by first driver DA and driver terminal 300possessed by second driver DD, which are targets of the driving plan.After the process of step S217 is executed, transportation planpreparation process 2 ends. Each of in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Xand in-vehicle system 200 of and vehicle Y receiving the travel planinformation stores the travel plan information in travel plan storagesection 204. Then, travel control section 209 d causes vehicle X(vehicle Y) to travel in accordance with the travel plan informationstored in travel plan storage section 204. Each of driver terminals 300receiving the driving plan information stores the received driving planinformation in driving plan storage section 303. Then, according to thedriving plan information stored in driving plan storage section 303,first driver DA (second driver DD) drives vehicle X (vehicle Y).

(Transportation Plan Preparation Process 3)

Next, transportation plan preparation process 3 will be described withreference to FIG. 9.

To begin with, in step S701, transportation plan preparation section 102a checks a date and time of scheduled arrival of first driver DA atpoint B. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checksdriving plan information for first driver DA registered intransportation plan DB 101 c. Note that, the date and time of scheduledarrival of first driver DA at point B is the same as the date and timeof arrival of vehicle X at point B.

Next, in step S702, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checksthe date and time of scheduled arrival of second driver DD at point C.Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a checks driving planinformation for second driver DD registered in transportation plan DB101 c. Note that, the date and time of scheduled arrival of seconddriver DD at point C is the same as the date and time of arrival ofvehicle Y at point C.

Subsequently, in step S703, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not it is possible for vehicle X to arrive by thedate and time of scheduled arrival at point C when vehicle X travels ata statutory speed. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 acalculates a difference time between the checked date and time ofarrival of first driver DA at point B and the checked date and time ofarrival of second driver DD at point C. Then, transportation planpreparation section 102 a judges whether or not it is possible forvehicle X to arrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Cby traveling at the statutory speed from point B to point C within thecalculated difference time. When it is judged that it is possible forvehicle X to arrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Cby traveling at a statutory speed, the process proceeds to step S704. Onthe other hand, when it is judged that it is impossible for vehicle X toarrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point C whentraveling at a statutory speed (it is impossible for vehicle X to arrivein time unless vehicle X travels at a speed exceeding the speed limit),transportation plan preparation process 3 ends.

Subsequently, in step S704, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not it is possible for vehicle Y to arrive by thedate and time of scheduled arrival at point B when vehicle Y travels ata statutory speed. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 acalculates a difference time between the checked date and time ofarrival of second driver DD at point C and the checked date and time ofarrival of first driver DA at point B. Then, transportation planpreparation section 102 a judges whether or not it is possible forvehicle Y to arrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Bby traveling at the statutory speed from point C to point B within thecalculated difference time. When it is judged that it is possible forvehicle Y to arrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Bby traveling at a statutory speed, the process proceeds to step S705. Onthe other hand, when it is judged that it is impossible for vehicle Y toarrive by the date and time of scheduled arrival at point B whentraveling at a statutory speed (it is impossible for vehicle Y to arrivein time unless vehicle Y travels at a speed exceeding the speed limit),transportation plan preparation process 3 ends.

Subsequently, in step S705, transportation plan preparation section 102a judges whether or not parking spaces at point B and parking spaces atpoint C for parking of vehicles X and Y can be reserved. Judgement ofwhether or not the parking spaces can be reserved is performed bychecking reservation statuses on the respective parking lot reservationwebsites of the smart IC operating companies. When it is judged that theparking spaces at point B and the parking spaces at point C for parkingof vehicles X and Y can be reserved, the process proceeds to step S706.On the other hand, when it is judged that the parking spaces at point Band the parking spaces at point C for parking of one or both of vehiclesX and Y cannot be reserved, the transportation plan preparation processends.

When it is judged that the parking spaces at point B and the parkingspaces at point C for parking of vehicles X and Y can be reserved,transportation plan preparation section 102 a reserves the parkingspaces at point B and the parking spaces at point C for parking ofvehicles X and Y in step S706. Here, transportation plan preparationsection 102 a reserves the parking spaces on the respective parking lotreservation websites of the smart IC operating companies. Note that,when the parking space at point B for vehicle X is reserved, thereservation is for the time taking into consideration the date and timeof scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point B and the date and time ofscheduled departure of vehicle X from point B. Further, when the parkingspace at point B for vehicle Y is reserved, the reservation is for thetime with an estimated surplus time (for example, the date and time ofscheduled departure from point B+2 hours) taking into consideration thedate and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point B, the date andtime of scheduled departure from point B, and a delay in arrival ofvehicle Y at point B that would be caused due to traffic congestion.Note that, when a point-B waiting time for vehicle Y at point B occurs(when vehicle Y waits a time equal to or longer than the surplus timewith respect to the date and time of arrival of second driver DD atpoint C), the reservation is for the time taking into consideration thewaiting time.

Further, when the parking space for vehicle Y at point C is reserved,the reservation is for the time taking into consideration the date andtime of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point C and the date and timeof scheduled departure of vehicle Y from point C. Further, when theparking space for vehicle X at point C is reserved, the reservation isfor the time with an estimated surplus time (for example, the date andtime of scheduled departure from point C+2 hours) taking intoconsideration the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X atpoint C, the date and time of scheduled departure from point C, and adelay in arrival of vehicle X at point C that would be caused due totraffic congestion. Note that, when a point-C waiting time for vehicle Xat point C occurs (when vehicle X waits a time equal to or longer thanthe surplus time with respect to the date and time of arrival of firstdriver DA at point B), the reservation is for the time taking intoconsideration the waiting time.

Subsequently, in step S707, transportation plan preparation section 102a calculates average travel speeds of vehicle X for respective sections.Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a calculates theaverage speeds for the respective sections (section B-1 a, section B-2a, section B-3 a, section B-4 a, and section C) between point B andpoint C.

Subsequently, in step S708, transportation plan preparation section 102a sets the date and time of departure of vehicle X from point B and thedate and time of arrival of vehicle X at point C based on the averagespeeds for the respective sections between point B and point C.

Subsequently, in step S709, transportation plan preparation section 102a calculates average travel speeds of vehicle Y for respective sections.Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a calculates theaverage speeds for the respective sections (section B-4 b, section B-3b, section B-2 b, section B-1 b, and section B) between point C andpoint B.

Subsequently, in step S710, transportation plan preparation section 102a sets the date and time of departure of vehicle Y from point C and thedate and time of arrival of vehicle Y at point B based on the averagespeeds for the respective sections between point C and point B

Subsequently, in step S711, transportation plan preparation section 102a prepares travel plan information, and registers the prepared travelplan information in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Subsequently, in step S712, transportation plan preparation section 102a transmits the travel plan information registered in transportationplan DB 101 c to in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X and in-vehiclesystem 200 of vehicle Y, which are targets of the travel plan. Inaddition, transportation plan preparation section 102 a transmits thedriving plan information registered in transportation plan DB 101 c todriver terminal 300 possessed by first driver DA and driver terminal 300possessed by second driver DD, which are targets of the driving plan.After the process of step S712 is executed, transportation planpreparation process 2 ends. Each of in-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Xand in-vehicle system 200 of and vehicle Y receiving the travel planinformation stores the travel plan information in travel plan storagesection 204. Then, travel control section 209 d causes vehicle X(vehicle Y) to travel in accordance with the travel plan informationstored in travel plan storage section 204.

(Plan Change Process)

Next, a plan change process executed by transportation plan changesection 102 b will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the plan change process executed bytransportation plan change section 102 b. FIG. 11 is a flowchartillustrating plan change process 1 in the plan change process. FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 2 in the plan changeprocess. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating plan change process 3 inthe plan change process. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating plan changeprocess 4 in the plan change process.

To begin with, transportation plan change section 102 b executes planchange process 1 in step S21.

Subsequently, transportation plan change section 102 b executes planchange process 2 in step S22.

Subsequently, transportation plan change section 102 b executes planchange process 3 in step S23.

Subsequently, transportation plan change section 102 b executes planchange process 4 in step S24. In step S24, the plan change process endsafter execution of plan change process 4.

(Plan Change Process 1)

Next, plan change process 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

To begin with, in step S301, transportation plan change section 102 bchecks a traffic event in the unmanned travel section (between point Band point C) for unmanned travel of vehicle X. Here, transportation planchange section 102 b checks the road traffic information on road trafficin the sections (section B-1 a, section B-2 a, section B-3 a, andsection B-4 a, section C) between points B and C from the current roadtraffic information stored in traffic information DB 101 b.

Subsequently, in step S302, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges, from the current road traffic information, whether or not anypredicted traffic event has occurred. Here, the predicted traffic eventmeans those traffic events which do not require a change in thescheduled point-C arrival date and time information or the scheduledpoint-C departure date and time information in the travel planinformation on the travel plan for vehicle X in the transportation planinformation stored in transportation plan DB 101 c (such traffic eventsas occurrences of traffic congestion slightly larger than the expectedrange of traffic congestion). On the other hand, an unexpected trafficevent is an unpredictable traffic event (e.g., an occurrence of trafficcongestion that greatly exceeds the expected range of trafficcongestion, or an occurrence of traffic congestion or a road closurecaused by an accident, a vehicle having a trouble, a disaster, or thelike).

The scheduled point-C arrival date and time information and thescheduled point-C departure date and time information for vehicle X areset in advance to include a margin. Therefore, when the traffic eventjudged to be absorbable in the scheduled point-C arrival date and timeinformation for vehicle X or the scheduled point-C departure date andtime information for vehicle X including this margin, transportationplan change section 102 b judges that the traffic event is a trafficevent which does not require a change. When it is judged that apredicted traffic event has occurred, plan change process 1 ends. On theother hand, when it is judged that the traffic event is not anoccurrence of a predicted traffic event, the process proceeds to stepS303.

When it is judged that the traffic event is not an occurrence of apredicted traffic event, transportation plan change section 102 b judgesin step S303 whether or not it is possible to arrive at point D earlierby changing the route. Here, transportation plan change section 102 bchecks the current road traffic information and the future road trafficprediction information stored in traffic information DB 101 b, and thenextracts a change candidate route. Then, it is judged which of thecurrent route and the extracted change candidate route allows earlierarrival at point D. When it is judged that it is possible to arrive atpoint D earlier when the route is not changed, the process proceeds tostep S304. On the other hand, when it is judged that it is possible toarrive at point D earlier by changing the route, the process proceeds tostep S309.

When it is judged that it is possible to arrive at point D earlier whenthe route is not changed, transportation plan change section 102 bchanges the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle X at point Cand the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle X from point Cin step S304. Here, transportation plan change section 102 b changes thedate and time of scheduled arrival at point C and the date and time ofscheduled departure from point C after checking the current road trafficinformation and the future road traffic prediction information stored intraffic information DB 101 b. At this time, according to the trafficevent having occurred, the average travel speed for each section isrecalculated and the average travel speed for each section is set again.

Subsequently, in step S305, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not to change second driver DD who drives from point Cto point D. Here, transportation plan change section 102 b checks a nextdriving plan for the driving of vehicle X for second driver DD who is atarget for the driving plans for driving vehicle X stored intransportation plan DB 101 c. When it is judged, based on the result ofchecking, that there is no obstacle to the next driving plan for seconddriver DD for driving vehicle X, it is judged that second driver DDdriving from point C to point D is not changed. When it is judged thatthere is an obstacle to the next driving plan for second driver DD fordriving vehicle X, it is judged that second driver DD driving from pointC to point D is changed. When it is judged that second driver DD drivingfrom point C to point D is not changed, the process proceeds to stepS306. On the other hand, when it is judged that second driver DD drivingfrom point C to point D is changed, the process proceeds to step S307.

When it is judged that second driver DD who drives from point C to pointD is not changed, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits thedriving plan change information to the driver terminal of current seconddriver DD in step S306. Here, the transmitted driving plan changeinformation includes information indicating that the date and time ofarrival of vehicle X at point C has been changed, the changed point-Carrival date and time information and point-C departure date and timeinformation for vehicle X, and the changed point-D arrival date and timeinformation.

When it is judged that second driver DD who drives from point C to pointD is changed, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits, to thedriver terminal of current second driver DD in step S307, driving plancancellation information indicating that the driving plan for drivingvehicle X from point C to point D has been cancelled.

Subsequently, in step S308, transportation plan change section 102 bselects new second driver DD, and transmits, to the driver terminal ofnew second driver DD, driving plan information including informationindicating that vehicle X is driven from point C to point D, point-Carrival date and time information for vehicle X, point-C parkingposition information, point-C departure date and time information,point-D arrival date and time information, unlocking key information forvehicle X, and locking key information for vehicle X. Here, in theselection of new second driver DD, transportation plan change section102 b selects second driver DD who is not scheduled to drive vehicle Xfrom point C to point D from among second drivers DD who drive vehicle Yto arrive at point C near (±1 hour of) the changed date and time ofarrival of vehicle X at point C. When such a second driver DD is notpresent, the driving plan for each second driver DD is checked, andsecond driver DD who drives vehicle X from point C to point D isdesignated.

When it is judged that it is possible to arrive at point D earlier bychanging the route, transportation plan change section 102 b identifiesthe nearest smart IC from the current position of vehicle X in stepS309.

Subsequently, in step S310, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved. Here, the judgement of whether or not the parking space can bereserved is performed by checking the reservation status on a parkinglot reservation website of an operating company of the nearest smart IC.When it is judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved, the process proceeds to step S311. On the other hand, when itis judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC cannot bereserved, the process proceeds to step S304. Note that, when it isjudged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC cannot bereserved, reservation statuses of parking spaces of one next smart ICand another may be checked.

When it is judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved, transportation plan change section 102 b designates, in stepS311, a third driver who drives vehicle X from the nearest smart IC.Here, first driver DA, second driver DD, or a driver other than firstdriver DA and second driver DD is designated as the third driver.

Subsequently, in step S312, transportation plan change section 102 breserves the parking space of the nearest smart IC. Here, transportationplan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking space on the parkinglot reservation website of the operating company of the nearest smartIC. Note that, the reservation is for the time taking into considerationthat the arrival at the nearest smart IC would be made earlier or laterdue to traffic congestion, and the time and date of arrival of the thirddriver at the nearest smart IC.

Subsequently, in step S313, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the driving plan change information to the driver terminal ofthe third driver who drives to point D from the smart IC in whichvehicle X is parked. Here, the transmitted driving plan changeinformation includes information indicating that the travel plan forvehicle X has been changed, the location of the nearest smart IC wherevehicle X arrives, the parking position information on the parkingposition of vehicle X at the nearest smart IC, the arrival date and timeinformation on arrival of vehicle X at the nearest smart IC and thedeparture date information on departure of vehicle X from the nearestsmart IC, the changed point-D arrival date and time information forvehicle X, the unlocking key information for vehicle X, and the lockingkey information for vehicle X.

Subsequently, in step S314, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle X. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a registersthe travel plan change information for vehicle X and the driving planchange information for vehicle X in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Here, when the process of step S306 is executed to perform the processof step S314, the changed scheduled point-C arrival date and timeinformation for vehicle X, the changed scheduled point-C departure dateand time information for vehicle X, and the changed scheduled point-Darrival date and time information for vehicle X are transmitted as thetravel plan change information for vehicle X.

Further, when the process of step S308 is executed to perform theprocess of step S314, the changed scheduled point-C arrival date andtime information for vehicle X, the changed scheduled point-C departuredate and time information for vehicle X, the changed scheduled point-Darrival date and time information for vehicle X, and the driverinformation on new second driver DD who drives vehicle X are transmittedas the travel plan change information.

When the process of step S313 is executed to perform the process of stepS314, the parking position information on the parking position ofvehicle X at the nearest smart IC, the scheduled arrival date and timeinformation on the date and time of arrival of vehicle X at the nearestsmart IC, the scheduled departure date and time information on the dateand time of departure of vehicle X from the nearest smart IC, thechanged scheduled point-D arrival date and time information for vehicleX, and the driver information on the third driver who drives vehicle Xare transmitted as the travel plan change information.

Further, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Cof succeeding vehicle X traveling from point B to point C,transportation plan change section 102 b transmits, to in-vehicle system200 of succeeding vehicle X, the travel plan change informationincluding the changed parking position information on the parkingposition of succeeding vehicle X at point C, the changed scheduledpoint-C arrival date and time information for succeeding vehicle X, thechanged scheduled point-C departure date and time information forsucceeding vehicle X, the changed scheduled point-D arrival date andtime information for succeeding vehicle X, the changed driverinformation on second driver DD who drives succeeding vehicle X frompoint C to point D, and the like. Note that, in the case of delaying thedate and time of scheduled arrival of succeeding vehicle X at point C,when the date and time of scheduled arrival at point C is delayed bycausing succeeding vehicle X to wait at any smart IC between point B andpoint C, the travel plan change information including the parkingposition information on the parking position at the smart IC where thevehicle is scheduled to wait, the scheduled arrival information onscheduled arrival at the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled towait, the scheduled departure information on scheduled departure fromthe smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait, the travel speedinformation on the travel speed for travel to the smart IC where thevehicle is scheduled to wait, the travel speed information on the travelspeed for travel between the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled towait and point C, and the like is transmitted to in-vehicle system 200of succeeding vehicle X.

In-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X (or, succeeding vehicle X) havingreceived the travel plan change information stores the travel planchange information in travel plan storage section 204. Then, travelcontrol section 209 d changes the travel control in accordance with thetravel plan change information stored in travel plan storage section 204to cause vehicle X (or succeeding vehicle X) to travel. Driver terminal300 having received the driving plan change information stores thereceived driving plan change information in driving plan storage section303. Then, according to the driving plan change information stored indriving plan storage section 303, second driver DD or the third driverdrives vehicle X.

Subsequently, in step S315, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle Y. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a registersthe travel plan change information for vehicle Y and the driving planchange information for vehicle Y in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Here, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Yat point C, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits, toin-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y, the travel plan change informationincluding changed scheduled point-D departure date and time informationfor vehicle Y, changed point-C parking position information for vehicleY, changed scheduled point-C arrival date and time information forvehicle Y, changed scheduled point-C departure date and time informationfor vehicle Y, changed point-B parking position information for vehicleY, changed scheduled point-B arrival date and time information forvehicle Y, changed scheduled point-B departure date and time informationfor vehicle Y, changed scheduled point-A departure date and timeinformation for vehicle Y, changed driver information on second driverDD who drives vehicle Y from point D to point C, changed driverinformation on first driver DA who drives vehicle Y from point B topoint A, and the like.

Further, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Bof preceding vehicle Y traveling from point C to point B, transportationplan change section 102 b transmits, to in-vehicle system 200 ofpreceding vehicle Y, the travel plan change information including thechanged parking position information on the parking position ofpreceding vehicle Y at point B, the changed scheduled point-B arrivaldate and time information for preceding vehicle Y, the changed scheduledpoint-B departure date and time information for preceding vehicle Y, thechanged scheduled point-A arrival date and time information forpreceding vehicle Y, the changed driver information on first driver DAwho drives preceding vehicle Y from point B to point A and the like.Note that, in the case of delaying the date and time of scheduledarrival of preceding vehicle Y at point B, when the date and time ofscheduled arrival at point B is delayed by causing preceding vehicle Yto wait at any smart IC between point C and point B, the travel planchange information including the parking position information on theparking position at the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait,the scheduled arrival information on scheduled arrival at the smart ICwhere the vehicle is scheduled to wait, the scheduled departureinformation on scheduled departure from the smart IC where the vehicleis scheduled to wait, the travel speed information on the travel speedfor travel to the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait, thetravel speed information on the travel speed for travel between thesmart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait and point B, and thelike is transmitted to in-vehicle system 200 of preceding vehicle Y.

In-vehicle system 200 of vehicle Y (or, preceding vehicle Y) havingreceived the travel plan change information stores the travel planchange information in travel plan storage section 204. Then, travelcontrol section 209 d changes the travel control in accordance with thetravel plan change information stored in travel plan storage section 204to cause vehicle Y (or preceding vehicle Y) to travel.

After the process of step S315 is executed, plan change process 1 ends.

(Plan Change Process 2)

Next, plan change process 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

To begin with, in step S401, transportation plan change section 102 bchecks a traffic event in the unmanned travel section (between point Cand point B) for unmanned travel of vehicle Y. Here, transportation planchange section 102 b checks the road traffic information on road trafficin the sections (section B-4 b, section B-3 b, section B-2 b, andsection B-1 b, section B) between points C and B from the current roadtraffic information stored in traffic information DB 101 b.

Subsequently, in step S402, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges, from the current road traffic information, whether or not anypredicted traffic event has occurred. Here, the predicted traffic eventmeans those traffic events which do not require a change in thescheduled point-B arrival date and time information or the scheduledpoint-B departure date and time information in the travel planinformation on the travel plan for vehicle Y in the transportation planinformation stored in transportation plan DB 101 c (such traffic eventsas occurrences of traffic congestion slightly larger than the expectedrange of traffic congestion). On the other hand, an unexpected trafficevent is an unpredictable traffic event (e.g., an occurrence of atraffic congestion that greatly exceeds the expected range of a trafficcongestion, or an occurrence of a traffic congestion or a road closurecaused by an accident, a vehicle having a trouble, a disaster, or thelike).

The scheduled point-B arrival date and time information and thescheduled point-B departure date and time information for vehicle Y areset in advance to include a margin. Therefore, when the traffic eventjudged to be absorbable in the scheduled point-B arrival date and timeinformation for vehicle Y or the scheduled point-B departure date andtime information for vehicle Y including this margin, transportationplan change section 102 b judges that the traffic event is a trafficevent which does not require a change. When it is judged that apredicted traffic event has occurred, plan change process 1 ends. On theother hand, when it is judged that the traffic event is not anoccurrence of a predicted traffic event, the process proceeds to stepS403.

When it is judged that the traffic event is not an occurrence of apredicted traffic event, transportation plan change section 102 b judgeswhether or not it is possible to arrive at point A earlier by changingthe route in step S403. Here, transportation plan change section 102 bchecks the current road traffic information and the future road trafficprediction information stored in traffic information DB 101 b, and thenextracts a change candidate route. Then, it is judged which of thecurrent route and the extracted change candidate route allows earlierarrival at point A. When it is judged that it is possible to arrive atpoint A earlier when the route is not changed, the process proceeds tostep S404. On the other hand, when it is judged that it is possible toarrive at point A earlier by changing the route, the process proceeds tostep S409.

When it is judged that it is possible to arrive at point A earlier whenthe route is not changed, transportation plan change section 102 bchanges the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Y at point Band the date and time of scheduled departure of vehicle Y from point Bin step S404. Here, transportation plan change section 102 b changes thedate and time of scheduled arrival at point B and the date and time ofscheduled departure from point B after checking the current road trafficinformation and the future road traffic prediction information stored intraffic information DB 101 b. At this time, according to the trafficevent having occurred, the average travel speed for each section isrecalculated and the average travel speed for each section is set again.

Subsequently, in step S405, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not to change first driver DA who drives from point Bto point A. Here, transportation plan change section 102 b checks a nextdriving plan for the driving of vehicle Y for first driver DA who is atarget for the driving plans for driving vehicle Y stored intransportation plan DB 101 c. When it is judged, based on the result ofchecking, that there is no obstacle to the next driving plan for firstdriver DA for driving vehicle Y, it is judged that first driver DAdriving from point B to point A is not changed. When it is judged thatthere is an obstacle to the next driving plan for first driver DA fordriving vehicle Y, it is judged that first driver DA driving from pointB to point A is changed. When it is judged that first driver DA drivingfrom point B to point A is not changed, the process proceeds to stepS406. On the other hand, when it is judged that first driver DA drivingfrom point B to point A is changed, the process proceeds to step S407.

When it is judged that first driver DA who drives from point B to pointA is not changed, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits thedriving plan change information to the driver terminal of current firstdriver DA in step S406. Here, the transmitted driving plan changeinformation includes information indicating that the date and time ofarrival of vehicle Y at point B has been changed, the changed point-Barrival date and time information and point-B departure date and timeinformation for vehicle Y, and the changed point-A arrival date and timeinformation.

When it is judged that first driver DA who drives from point B to pointA is changed, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits drivingplan cancellation information indicating that the driving plan fordriving vehicle Y from point B to point A has been cancelled to thedriver terminal of current first driver DA in step S407.

Subsequently, in step S408, transportation plan change section 102 bselects new first driver DA, and transmits, to the driver terminal ofnew first driver DA, driving plan information including informationindicating that vehicle Y is driven from point B to point A, point-Barrival date and time information for vehicle Y, point-B parkingposition information, point-B departure date and time information,point-A arrival date and time information, unlocking key information forvehicle Y, and locking key information for vehicle Y. Here, in theselection of new first driver DA, transportation plan change section 102b selects first driver DAwho is not scheduled to drive vehicle Y frompoint B to point A from among first drivers DA who drive vehicle X toarrive at point B near (±1 hour of) the changed date and time of arrivalof vehicle Y at point B. When such a first driver DA is not present, thedriving plan for each first driver DA is checked, and first driver DAwhodrives vehicle Y from point B to point A is designated.

When it is judged that it is possible to arrive at point A earlier bychanging the route, transportation plan change section 102 b identifiesthe nearest smart IC from the current position of vehicle Y in stepS409.

Subsequently, in step S410, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved. Here, the judgement of whether or not the parking space can bereserved is performed by checking the reservation status on a parkinglot reservation website of an operating company of the nearest smart IC.When it is judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved, the process proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, when itis judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC cannot bereserved, the process proceeds to step S404. Note that, when it isjudged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC cannot bereserved, reservation statuses of parking spaces of one next smart ICand another may be checked.

When it is judged that the parking space of the nearest smart IC can bereserved, transportation plan change section 102 b designates, in stepS411, a fourth driver who drives vehicle Y from the nearest smart IC.Here, first driver DA, second driver DD, or a driver other than firstdriver DA and second driver DD is designated as the fourth driver.

Subsequently, in step S412, transportation plan change section 102 breserves the parking space of the nearest smart IC. Here, transportationplan preparation section 102 a reserves the parking space on the parkinglot reservation website of the operating company of the nearest smartIC. Note that, the reservation is for the time taking into considerationthat the arrival at the nearest smart IC would be made earlier or laterdue to traffic congestion, and the time and date of arrival of thefourth driver at the nearest smart IC.

Subsequently, in step S413, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the driving plan change information to the driver terminal ofthe fourth driver who drives to point A from the smart IC in whichvehicle Y is parked. Here, the transmitted driving plan changeinformation includes information indicating that the travel plan forvehicle Y has been changed, the location of the nearest smart IC wherevehicle Y arrives, the parking position information on the parkingposition of vehicle Y at the nearest smart IC, the arrival date and timeinformation on arrival of vehicle Y at the nearest smart IC and thedeparture date information on departure of vehicle Y from the nearestsmart IC, the changed point-D arrival date and time information forvehicle Y, the unlocking key information for vehicle Y, and the lockingkey information for vehicle Y.

Subsequently, in step S414, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle Y. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a registersthe travel plan change information and the driving plan changeinformation in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Further, when the process of step S406 is executed to perform theprocess of step S414, the changed scheduled point-B arrival date andtime information, the changed scheduled point-B departure date and timeinformation, and the changed scheduled point-A arrival date and timeinformation are transmitted as the travel plan change information.

Here, when the process of step S408 is executed to perform the processof step S414, the changed scheduled point-B arrival date and timeinformation, the changed scheduled point-B departure date and timeinformation, the changed scheduled point-A arrival date and timeinformation, and the driver information on new first driver DA aretransmitted as the travel plan change information.

When the process of step S413 is executed to perform the process of stepS414, the parking position information on the parking position at thenearest smart IC, the scheduled arrival date and time information on thedate and time of arrival at the nearest smart IC, the scheduleddeparture date and time information on the date and time of departurefrom the nearest smart IC, the changed scheduled point-A arrival dateand time information, and the driver information on the fourth driverare transmitted as the travel plan change information.

Further, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Bof succeeding vehicle Y traveling from point C to point B,transportation plan change section 102 b transmits, to in-vehicle system200 of succeeding vehicle Y, the travel plan change informationincluding the changed parking position information on the parkingposition of succeeding vehicle Y at point B, the changed scheduledpoint-B arrival date and time information for succeeding vehicle Y, thechanged scheduled point-B departure date and time information forsucceeding vehicle Y, the changed scheduled point-A arrival date andtime information for succeeding vehicle Y, the changed driverinformation on first driver DA who drives succeeding vehicle Y frompoint B to point A and the like. Note that, in the case of delaying thedate and time of scheduled arrival of succeeding vehicle Y at point B,when the date and time of scheduled arrival at point B is delayed bycausing succeeding vehicle Y to wait at any smart IC between point C andpoint B, the travel plan change information including the parkingposition information on the parking position at the smart IC where thevehicle is scheduled to wait, the scheduled arrival information onscheduled arrival at the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled towait, the scheduled departure information on scheduled departure fromthe smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait, the travel speedinformation on the travel speed for travel to the smart IC where thevehicle is scheduled to wait, the travel speed information on the travelspeed for travel between the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled towait and point B, and the like is transmitted to in-vehicle system 200of succeeding vehicle Y.

In-vehicle system 200 of each vehicle Y (or, succeeding vehicle Y)having received the travel plan change information stores the travelplan change information in travel plan storage section 204. Then, travelcontrol section 209 d changes the travel control in accordance with thetravel plan change information stored in travel plan storage section 204to cause vehicle Y (or succeeding vehicle Y) to travel. Driver terminal300 having received the driving plan change information stores thereceived driving plan change information in driving plan storage section303. Then, according to the driving plan change information stored indriving plan storage section 303, first driver DA or the fourth driverdrives vehicle Y.

Subsequently, in step S415, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle X. Here, transportation plan preparation section 102 a registersthe travel plan change information for vehicle X and the driving planchange information for vehicle X in transportation plan DB 101 c.

Here, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival of vehicle Xat point B, transportation plan change section 102 b transmits, toin-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X, the travel plan change informationincluding changed scheduled point-A departure date and time informationfor vehicle X, changed point-B parking position information for vehicleX, changed scheduled point-B arrival date and time information forvehicle X, changed scheduled point-B departure date and time informationfor vehicle X, changed point-C parking position information for vehicleX, changed scheduled point-C arrival date and time information forvehicle X, changed scheduled point-C departure date and time informationfor vehicle X, changed scheduled point-D departure date and timeinformation for vehicle X, changed driver information on first driver DAwho drives vehicle X from point A to point B, changed driver informationon second driver DD who drives vehicle X from point C to point D, andthe like.

Further, when delaying the date and time of scheduled arrival at point Cof preceding vehicle X traveling from point B to point C, transportationplan change section 102 b transmits, to in-vehicle system 200 ofpreceding vehicle X, the travel plan change information including thechanged parking position information on the parking position ofpreceding vehicle X at point C, the changed scheduled point-C arrivaldate and time information for preceding vehicle X, the changed scheduledpoint-C departure date and time information for preceding vehicle X, thechanged scheduled point-D arrival date and time information forpreceding vehicle X, the changed driver information on second driver DDwho drives preceding vehicle X from point C to point D, and the like.Note that, in the case of delaying the date and time of scheduledarrival of preceding vehicle X at point C, when the date and time ofscheduled arrival at point C is delayed by causing preceding vehicle Xto wait at any smart IC between point B and point C, the travel planchange information including the parking position information on theparking position at the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait,the scheduled arrival information on scheduled arrival at the smart ICwhere the vehicle is scheduled to wait, the scheduled departureinformation on scheduled departure from the smart IC where the vehicleis scheduled to wait, the travel speed information on the travel speedfor travel to the smart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait, thetravel speed information on the travel speed for travel between thesmart IC where the vehicle is scheduled to wait and point C, and thelike is transmitted to in-vehicle system 200 of succeeding vehicle X.

In-vehicle system 200 of vehicle X (or, preceding vehicle X) havingreceived the travel plan change information stores the travel planchange information in travel plan storage section 204. Then, travelcontrol section 209 d changes the travel control in accordance with thetravel plan change information stored in travel plan storage section 204to cause vehicle X (or preceding vehicle X) to travel.

After the process of step S415 is executed, plan change process 2 ends.

(Plan Change Process 3)

Next, plan change process 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

First, in step S501, transportation plan change section 102 b checks thevehicle state of each of traveling vehicles X and Y. Here, checking thevehicle states of traveling vehicles X and Y is executed by checkingstatuses managed by vehicle state management section 102 c.

Subsequently, in step S502, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not there is any vehicle in which a malfunction hasoccurred. When it is judged that there is no vehicle in which amalfunction has occurred, the process proceeds to step S503. On theother hand, when it is judged that there is a vehicle in which amalfunction has occurred, the process proceeds to step S504. Here, thejudgement is performed by transportation plan change section 102 b bychecking whether or not there is an item indicating a malfunction amongitems (vehicle-external-condition, throttle control, brake control,steering control, drive control, and the like) managed by vehicle statemanagement section 102 c.

When it is judged that there is no vehicle in which a malfunction hasoccurred, transportation plan change section 102 b judges in step S503whether or not there is a vehicle in which an anomaly has occurred. Whenit is judged that there is no vehicle in which an anomaly has occurred,plan change process 3 ends. On the other hand, when it is judged thatthere is a vehicle in which an anomaly has occurred, the processproceeds to step S505. Here, the judgement is performed bytransportation plan change section 102 b by checking whether or notthere is an item indicating an anomaly among items(vehicle-external-condition, throttle control, brake control, steeringcontrol, drive control, and the like) managed by vehicle statemanagement section 102 c.

When it is judged that there is a vehicle in which a malfunction hasoccurred, transportation plan change section 102 b checks, in step S504,information (control value and the like) on the item for which themalfunction has occurred.

Further, when it is judged that there is a vehicle in which an anomalyhas occurred, transportation plan change section 102 b checks, in stepS505, the information (control value and the like) on the item for whichthe anomaly has occurred.

Subsequently, in step S506, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not the malfunction or the anomaly disables thevehicle to travel to a destination (the destination of point C in thecase of vehicle X; the destination of point B in the case of vehicle Y).Note that, this judgment is performed based on one or both ofdetermination based on a determination criterion programmed intransportation plan change section 102 b and determination by anoperator or the like. When it is judged that the malfunction or theanomaly does not disable the vehicle to travel to the destination, planchange process 3 ends. On the other hand, when it is judged that themalfunction or the anomaly disables (or makes it difficult for) thevehicle to travel to the destination, the process proceeds to step S507.

When it is judged that the malfunction or the anomaly disables (or makesit difficult for) the vehicle to travel to the destination,transportation plan change section 102 b checks, in step S508, thecurrent position of vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the malfunction oranomaly has occurred, calculates the distance from the current positionto the nearest smart IC, and then judges, based on the degree of themalfunction or anomaly occurred, whether or not vehicle X (vehicle Y)can travel to the nearest smart IC. When it is judged, based on thedegree of the malfunction or anomaly occurred, that it is possible forvehicle X (vehicle Y) to travel to the nearest smart IC, the processproceeds to step S509. On the other hand, when it is judged, based onthe degree of the malfunction or anomaly occurred, that it is impossible(difficult) for vehicle X (vehicle Y) to travel to the nearest smart IC,the process proceeds to step S511.

When it is judged that it is possible for vehicle X (vehicle Y) totravel to the nearest smart IC, transportation plan change section 102 bsends a notification (notice) to a handler in step S509. Here, thehandler is a third driver, a fourth driver, or a fifth driver. Whentravel to the nearest smart IC is possible, unmanned autonomous travelis likely to be difficult, but travel by manned travel may be possible.Therefore, the third driver, the fourth driver, or the fifth drivercapable of driving vehicle X or Y is selected and a notification(notice) is sent to the selected driver. Here, the third driver, thefourth driver, or the fifth driver is selected according to a selectioncriterion programmed in transportation plan change section 102 b, or isselected by the operator or the like. Emergency handling information istransmitted to driver terminal 300 of the selected third driver, fourthdriver, or fifth driver. This emergency handling information includesthe vehicle number of vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the malfunction oranomaly has occurred, unlocking key information for vehicle X (vehicleY) in which the malfunction or anomaly has occurred, locking keyinformation for vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the malfunction oranomaly has occurred, parking position information on the parkingposition at the smart IC where vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which themalfunction or anomaly has occurred is parked, and the like. The thirddriver, the fourth driver, or the fifth driver who possesses driverterminal 300 receiving this emergency handling information handles thesituation based on the emergency handling information.

Subsequently, in step S510, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the malfunction or anomaly has occurred.Here, the transmitted plan change information includes the parkingposition information on the parking position at the nearest smart IC,travel speed information on the speed for travel to the nearest smartIC, and handler information. After the process of step S510 is executed,plan change process 3 ends.

When it is judged that it is impossible (or difficult) for vehicle X(vehicle Y) to travel to the nearest smart IC, transportation planchange section 102 b, in step S511, searches for a roadside shoulder onwhich vehicle X (vehicle Y) is allowed to stop, and drives vehicle X(vehicle Y) toward the roadside shoulder by remote operation. Thedriving by remote operation is executed by the operator or the like.Note that, vehicle X (vehicle Y) may autonomously drive toward thenearest roadside shoulder by its own determination without remoteoperation.

Subsequently, in step S512, transportation plan change section 102 bsends a notification (notice) to a handler. Here, the handler is awrecker or the like. In situations where the vehicle must be stopped ona roadside shoulder, it is highly likely that driving the vehicle isdangerous. Thus, the notification (or notice) is sent to the wrecker forvehicle X or Y to be moved from the roadside shoulder. Here, the wreckeris selected from among wreckers in a program in transportation planchange section 102 b, or is selected by the operator or the like. Thestop position and the like of vehicle X or Y are notified to theselected wrecker. After the process of step S512 is executed, planchange process 3 ends.

(Plan Change Process 4)

Next, plan change process 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

First, in step S601, transportation plan change section 102 b checks thegoods compartment condition of each of traveling vehicles X and Y. Here,checking the goods compartment conditions of traveling vehicles X and Yis executed by checking statuses managed by goods compartment conditionmanagement section 102 d.

Subsequently, in step S602, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not there is any vehicle in which collapse of goods ishighly likely to have occurred. When it is judged that there is novehicle in which collapse of goods is highly likely to have occurred,the process proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, when it is judgedthat there is a vehicle in which collapse of goods is highly likely tohave occurred, the process proceeds to step S604. Here, the judgement bytransportation plan change section 102 b is performed by checking thegoods compartment condition information managed by goods compartmentcondition management section 102 d.

When it is judged that there is no vehicle in which collapse of goods ishighly likely to have occurred, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges in step S603 whether or not there is a vehicle in which collapseof goods is likely to occur. When it is judged that there is no vehiclein which collapse of goods is likely to occur, plan change process 4ends. On the other hand, when it is judged that there is a vehicle inwhich collapse of goods is likely to occur, the process proceeds to stepS604. Here, the judgement by transportation plan change section 102 b isperformed by checking the goods compartment condition informationmanaged by goods compartment condition management section 102 d.

When judging that there is a vehicle in which collapse of goods ishighly likely to have occurred or there is a vehicle in which collapseof goods is likely to occur, transportation plan change section 102 bchecks each captured image information and each acceleration value instep S604. The check in this step is executed based on one or both of acheck by comparison with comparison target image information and/or acomparison target acceleration value in a program in transportation planchange section 102 b, and, a visual check by the operator or the like.

Subsequently, in step S605, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not the result of the check indicates that thecollapse of goods is within an unproblematic range. When it is judgedthat the collapse of goods is within the unproblematic range, theprocess proceeds to step S606. On the other hand, when it is judged thatthe collapse of goods is problematic collapse, the process proceeds tostep S609.

When it is judged that the collapse of goods is within the unproblematicrange, transportation plan change section 102 b judges whether or not tocause the vehicle to travel to the destination (the destination of pointC in the case of vehicle X; the destination of point B in the case ofvehicle Y) in step S606. Note that, this judgment is performed based onone or both of determination based on a determination criterionprogrammed in transportation plan change section 102 b and determinationby an operator or the like. When it is judged that the vehicle is causedto travel to the destination, plan change process 3 ends. On the otherhand, when it is judged that the vehicle is not caused to travel to thedestination, the process proceeds to step S607.

When it is judged that the vehicle is not caused to travel to thedestination, transportation plan change section 102 b checks, in stepS607, the current position of vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which thecollapse of goods is likely to have occurred or the collapse of goods ishighly likely to occur, and searches for the nearest smart IC from thecurrent position. Here, transportation plan change section 102 b selectsa handler (a third driver, a fourth driver, or a fifth driver who candrive vehicles X and Y).

Subsequently, in step S608, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goods is likely to haveoccurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely to occur. Here, thetransmitted plan change information includes the parking positioninformation on the parking position at the nearest smart IC, travelspeed information on the speed for travel to the nearest smart IC, andhandler information.

When it is judged that the collapse of goods is problematic collapse,transportation plan change section 102 b checks, in step S608, thecurrent position of vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goodsis likely to have occurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely tooccur, and searches for the nearest smart IC from the current position.

Subsequently, in step S610, transportation plan change section 102 bsets, to the lowest travel speed in the section, the travel speed ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goods is likely to haveoccurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely to occur.

Subsequently, in step S611, transportation plan change section 102 btransmits the travel plan change information to in-vehicle system 200 ofvehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goods is likely to haveoccurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely to occur. Here, thetransmitted plan change information includes the parking positioninformation on the parking position at the nearest smart IC, travelspeed information on the speed for travel to the nearest smart IC(lowest travel speed), and handler information.

Subsequently, in step S612, transportation plan change section 102 bjudges whether or not a handler vehicle is required. In this case, thehandler vehicle is a vehicle to which the goods are transferred. When itis judged that the handler vehicle is required, the process proceeds tostep S613. On the other hand, when it is judged that the handler vehicleis not required, the process proceeds to step S614.

When it is judged that the handler vehicle is required, transportationplan change section 102 b arranges the handler vehicle in step S613.Here, the handler vehicle is arranged from among handler vehicles in aprogram in transportation plan change section 102 b, or arranged by theoperator or the like.

Subsequently, in step S614, transportation plan change section 102 bsends a notification to the handler. Here, when the process of step S613is performed, emergency handling information including informationindicating that the handler vehicle is driven to the nearest smart IC,the parking position at the nearest smart IC for vehicle X (vehicle Y)in which the collapse of goods is likely to have occurred or thecollapse of goods is highly likely to occur, the unlocking keyinformation for vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goods islikely to have occurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely tooccur, and the locking key information for vehicle X (vehicle Y) inwhich the collapse of goods is likely to have occurred or the collapseof goods is highly likely to occur is transmitted to driver terminal 300of the handler. Otherwise, the emergency handling information includingthe parking position at the nearest smart IC for vehicle X (vehicle Y)in which collapse of goods is highly likely to occur, the unlocking keyinformation for vehicle X (vehicle Y) in which the collapse of goods islikely to have occurred or the collapse of goods is highly likely tooccur, and the locking key information for vehicle X (vehicle Y) inwhich the collapse of goods is likely to have occurred or the collapseof goods is highly likely to occur is transmitted to driver terminal 300of the handler. The handler possessing driver terminal 300 receivingthis emergency handling information handles the situation based on theemergency handling information. After the process of step S614 isexecuted, plan change process 4 ends.

(Notes)

In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, aconfiguration shown below is disclosed.

(Note 1) A transportation management apparatus that manages atransportation system for causing a vehicle to travel in a sectionbetween a point A and a point B, a section between the point B and apoint C, and a section between the point C and a point D to transportgoods or the like from the point A to the point D and transport goods orthe like from the point D to the point A, the section between the pointA and the point B being a first manned travel section, the sectionbetween the point B and the point C being an unmanned autonomous travelsection, the section between the point C and the point D being a secondmanned travel section, in which a traffic condition of the unmannedautonomous travel section is predicted for preparation of a travel planfor a first vehicle that travels from the point B toward the point C anda travel plan for a second vehicle that travels from the point C towardthe point B, a driving plan for a first driver who drives in the firstmanned travel section is prepared based on the travel plan for the firstvehicle and the travel plan for the second vehicle, and a driving planfor a second driver who drives in the second manned travel section isprepared based on the travel plan for the first vehicle and the travelplan for the second vehicle.

(Note 2) The transportation management apparatus according to note 1, inwhich in the preparation of the travel plan for the first vehicle, anarrival schedule of arrival of the first vehicle at the point B isdetermined based on an arrival schedule of arrival of the first vehicleat the point C.

(Note 3) The transportation management apparatus according to note 1 or2, in which in the preparation of the travel plan for the secondvehicle, an arrival schedule of arrival of the second vehicle at thepoint C is determined based on an arrival schedule of arrival of thesecond vehicle at the point B.

(Note 4) The transportation management apparatus according to any one ofnotes 1 to 3, in which in the preparation of the travel plan for thefirst vehicle, an arrival schedule of arrival of the first vehicle atthe point B is determined based on an arrival schedule of arrival of thesecond vehicle at the point B.

(Note 5) The transportation management apparatus according to any one ofnotes 1 to 4, in which in the preparation of the travel plan for thesecond vehicle, an arrival schedule of arrival of the second vehicle atthe point C is determined based on an arrival schedule of arrival of thefirst vehicle at the point C.

(Note 6) The transportation management apparatus according to any one ofnotes 1 to 5, in which a booking status of a parking space for parkingof the second vehicle at each of the point B and the point C isconsidered in the preparation of the travel plan for the second vehicle.

(Note 7) The transportation management apparatus according to any one ofnotes 1 to 6, in which in the preparation of the travel plan for thesecond vehicle, a travel speed of the second vehicle in the unmannedautonomous travel section is determined based on an arrival schedule ofarrival of the second vehicle at the point B.

(Note 8) A transportation management method for managing atransportation system for causing a vehicle to travel in a sectionbetween a point A and a point B, a section between the point B and apoint C, and a section between the point C and a point D to transportgoods or the like from the point A to the point D and to transport goodsor the like from the point D to the point A, the section between thepoint A and the point B being a first manned travel section, the sectionbetween the point B and the point C being an unmanned autonomous travelsection, the section between the point C and the point D being a secondmanned travel section, the transportation management method including:predicting a traffic condition of the unmanned autonomous travel sectionto prepare a travel plan for a first vehicle that travels from the pointB toward the point C and a travel plan for a second vehicle that travelsfrom the point C toward the point B; preparing, based on the travel planfor the first vehicle and the travel plan for the second vehicle, adriving plan for a first driver who drives in the first manned travelsection; and preparing, based on the travel plan for the first vehicleand the travel plan for the second vehicle, a driving plan for a seconddriver who drives in the second manned travel section.

(Note 9) A transportation management apparatus that manages atransportation system for causing a vehicle to perform unmannedautonomous travel to a destination based on a travel plan to transportgoods or the like, in which, depending on an event occurring in thevehicle performing the unmanned autonomous travel, it is judged whetheror not the destination of the vehicle is to be changed, and thedestination is changed when it is judged that the destination is to bechanged, or the destination is not changed when it is judged that thedestination is not to be changed.

(Note 10) The transportation management apparatus according to note 9,in which, when the destination is changed, a location where the vehicleis allowed to stop is searched for, and the destination is changed tothe location where the vehicle is allowed to stop.

(Note 11) The transportation management apparatus according to note 9 or10, in which, when the location where the vehicle is allowed to stop issearched for, the location where the vehicle is allowed to stop issearched for according to the event having occurred in the vehicle.

(Note 12) The transportation management apparatus according to any oneof notes 9 to 11, in which, when the event having occurred in thevehicle is an event occurring in a goods compartment of the vehicle, itis judged whether or not the destination of the vehicle is to bechanged.

(Note 13) The transportation management apparatus according to any oneof notes 9 to 12, in which, when the destination is changed, a handleris notified of the destination changed.

(Note 14) The transportation management apparatus according to any oneof notes 9 to 13, in which, when the destination is changed, a handlervehicle is arranged to travel to the destination changed.

(Note 15) A transportation management method for managing atransportation system for causing a vehicle to perform unmannedautonomous travel to a destination based on a travel plan to transportgoods or the like, the transportation management method including:judging, depending on an event occurring in the vehicle performing theunmanned autonomous travel, whether or not the destination of thevehicle is to be changed; and changing the destination when it is judgedthat the destination is to be changed, or, not changing the destinationwhen it is judged that the destination is not to be changed.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-068874filed on Mar. 29, 2019, the disclosure of which including thespecification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the transportation management apparatus and thetransportation management method of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide a technique of preparing a travel plan and a drivingplan in a transportation system for transportation of goods or the likein which a vehicle is caused to perform unmanned autonomous travel basedon a travel plan in an unmanned autonomous travel section extending to aboarding point of a driver, and the driver drives the vehicle from theboarding point based on a driving plan.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Transportation system-   10 Transportation management system-   100 Transportation management apparatus-   101 Storage section-   101 a Map information DB-   101 b Traffic information DB-   101 c Transportation plan DB-   102 Control section-   102 a Transportation plan preparation section-   102 b Transportation plan change section-   102 c Vehicle state management section-   102 d Goods compartment condition management section-   103 Communication control I/F section-   104 Input/output I/F section-   105 Operation section-   106 Display section-   200 In-vehicle system-   201 GPS reception section-   202 Navigation section-   203 Map information DB-   204 Travel plan storage section-   205 Vehicle-external-condition detection section-   206 Goods compartment condition detection section-   207 Locking section-   208 Drive control section-   209 Driving control section-   210 Communication control I/F section-   211 Input/output I/F section-   212 Operation section-   213 Audio input/output section-   214 Display section-   300 Driver terminal-   301 GPS reception section-   302 Key information storage section-   303 Driving plan storage section-   304 Terminal control section-   305 Communication control I/F section-   306 Input/output I/F section-   307 Operation section-   308 Audio input/output section-   309 Display section-   400 Network

1. A transportation management apparatus that manages a transportationsystem for transportation of goods or the like in which a vehicle iscaused to perform unmanned autonomous travel based on a travel plan inan unmanned autonomous travel section extending to a boarding point of adriver, and the driver drives the vehicle from the boarding point basedon a driving plan, the transportation management apparatus beingconfigured to: predict a traffic condition of the unmanned autonomoustravel section to prepare the travel plan and the driving plan, andchange the travel plan for the vehicle traveling in the unmannedautonomous travel section and the driving plan depending on a trafficevent in the unmanned autonomous travel section.
 2. The transportationmanagement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transportationmanagement apparatus is further configured to change a date and time ofscheduled boarding in the driving plan depending on the traffic event inthe unmanned autonomous travel section.
 3. The transportation managementapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transportation managementapparatus is further configured to change the boarding point in thetravel plan and the boarding point in the driving plan.
 4. Thetransportation management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thetransportation management apparatus is further configured to judge,depending on the traffic event in the unmanned autonomous travelsection, whether or not the boarding point is to be changed, and changethe boarding point when it is judged that the boarding point is to bechanged, or not change the boarding point when it is judged that theboarding point is not to be changed.
 5. A transportation managementmethod for managing a transportation system for transportation of goodsor the like in which a vehicle is caused to perform unmanned autonomoustravel based on a travel plan in an unmanned autonomous travel sectionextending to a boarding point of a driver, and the driver drives thevehicle from the boarding point based on a driving plan, thetransportation management method comprising: predicting a trafficcondition of the unmanned autonomous travel section to prepare thetravel plan and the driving plan; and changing the travel plan for thevehicle traveling in the unmanned autonomous travel section and thedriving plan depending on a traffic event in the unmanned autonomoustravel section.